Flood risk across Nottinghamshire
The River Trent runs the length of Nottinghamshire, and its wide floodplain makes river flooding the main risk for Nottingham, Newark and the villages along it. Nottingham is protected by the Trent Left Bank flood defences, but smaller rivers and surface water have flooded towns such as Southwell after intense rain.
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 Nottinghamshire County Council and landowners.
River Trent – Nottingham, Newark and Gainsborough
River Leen – North and west Nottingham
River Greet – Southwell
River Idle – Retford and Bawtry
River Maun – Mansfield
River Erewash – The Derbyshire border
Who manages flood risk here
Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City 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. Your district or borough council decides 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.
