Connor Henderson

I’m Connor, a Principal Consultant and Technical Lead for Aegaea’s Flood Modelling team. I have over 10 years’ experience working in the Water sector, specialising in Flood Risk since 2017. I have extensive experience in Hydraulic Modelling, Hydrology, Flood Risk Assessments and Sustainable Drainage, for a variety of projects for both private and public sector clients. Whether your site is a small residential or commercial development, a large-scale masterplan or a river restoration project, I can help advise on the type of modelling your site requires to provide a robust and thorough assessment of flood risk.

How I can help you

• Advice on How and When to Commission a Modelling Study: Do you have a site that you think may need to be modelled? Feel free to get in touch to discuss your site and proposals. I can offer in-depth guidance on whether modelling is required, if it is avoidable, and what the benefits of modelling are.
• Third Party Model Reviews: Are you also a hydraulic modeller who needs a third party review or an extra level of QA to de-risk a future submission to a regulator? If so, please feel free to reach out to discuss how we can assist you to maximise the likelihood of a smooth regulator model review process.
• River or Floodplain Restoration: I’m very passionate about supporting projects that improve or enhance the natural environment. Whether you’re looking to restore meanders, berms and vegetation to a modified channel, daylight a culvert or create a new wetland area, I can advise on the best modelling approach for your project.
• Climate Risk Assessments: If you’re an asset owner or manager and would like to understand the risk to your assets or properties due to the impacts of climate change on flood risk, I can help you to prioritise investment to ensure resilience into the future.

Expertise in action

• Mixed-use Urban development (Walthamstow): I developed a detailed pluvial model for the catchment surrounding a site in Walthamstow, to assess the risk of pluvial flooding to the site in support of a detailed planning application. I then used the outputs from the model to develop a Sustainable Drainage Strategy and Flood Risk Assessment for the site. The modelling included developing a 1D/2D linked model representing overland flows and the local sewer network, which was then used to assess options for mitigating flood risk and de-culverting an Ordinary Watercourse which had been contained within the local surface water sewer network.
• New Town Centre (Broxbourne): I supported the proposals for a new town centre in Broxbourne by conducting a hydrological assessment and hydraulic modelling study of the local river network. A new 1D/2D model was developed to simulate flood risk to the site, along with assessments to support realigning existing ditches, bridging and culverting Ordinary Watercourses, replacing an existing culvert with a clear span bridge over the floodplain and daylighting existing culverts. I also produced a Sustainable Drainage Strategy, Flood Risk Assessment and Environmental Statement Chapter to support the planning application.
• Climate Risk Assessment for a Major UK University: Following a number of incidents such as wildfires, flooding and overheating, a major university commissioned an assessment of physical climate risks to better understand the potential future climate impacts on a 26-hectare campus. I simulated the future risk of fluvial and pluvial flooding for a range of climate epochs and emissions scenarios to identify key risk areas, physical risk thresholds and likelihood of consequences in order to prioritise funding to improve the campus’ resilience. The study identified recommended adaptation measures, including active, passive and nature-based solutions to mitigate the impacts on the Universities building and infrastructure assets.
• River and Floodplain Restoration (Hertfordshire): In partnership with a specialist Environmental Contractor and the Wildlife Trust Charity, I developed a detailed 1D-2D linked model to assess the proposals for restoring a reach of the River Lea and its floodplain. The project focussed on improving ecological function, improving habitat diversity and alleviating flood risk within a modified chalk stream and its floodplain. The proposals included the creation of new floodplain wetland areas, reconfiguration of existing ditches and improvements to a 200m reach of the River Lea by reprofiling the bed and banks, and incorporating berms and flow deflectors to mitigate erosion.

A little about me

Originally from South Wales, I am now based in Southeast London…a far cry from the green, green grass of home. When I’m not building or reviewing flood models, you’ll often find me at a gig, in the kitchen baking bread or catching a train somewhere to go for a hike.