Flood risk across Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester's rivers drain the Pennines and can rise very quickly. On Boxing Day 2015 the Irwell flooded parts of Salford, including Lower Kersal, and the Roch flooded Rochdale and Littleborough. Across the dense urban area, surface water from heavy rain is the most common cause of flooding.
Flood zones only show river and sea flooding, and they ignore flood defences. Surface water and reservoir risk aren’t part of the zones – check them on the Environment Agency’s long-term flood risk service, or get the full report, which covers every source.
Rivers that shape local flood risk
Main rivers are managed by the Environment Agency. Smaller watercourses and drainage are the responsibility of Bolton Council and landowners.
River Irwell – Bury, Salford and Manchester
River Mersey – Stockport, Didsbury and Sale
River Roch – Littleborough and Rochdale
River Tame – Oldham, Tameside and Stockport
River Irk and River Medlock – North and east Manchester
River Douglas – Wigan
Who manages flood risk here
Bolton Council, Bury Council, Manchester City Council, Oldham Council, Rochdale Borough Council, Salford City Council, Stockport Council, Tameside Council, Trafford Council and Wigan Council are the Lead Local Flood Authorities, responsible for surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses. The Environment Agency manages main rivers and the sea, and issues flood warnings. The same councils also decide planning applications – and asks for a flood risk assessment in Flood Zones 2 and 3.
Getting a written answer for an address
The free check describes the area around your postcode. For a specific property, the full report checks your exact address against every flood dataset and gives you a dated PDF to share with your surveyor, conveyancer or insurer.
For planning decisions, your local council has the final say.
