Multiple properties and the surrounding road network escaped flooding in Sheffield at the end of last year.
After being hit by a deluge of heavy rainfall, the Woodhouse Mill Regulator at the River Rother suffered mechanical failure, threatening widespread flooding and disruption.
BAM Nuttall contracted Qualter Hall to carry out emergency works to secure the flood gate, control floodwater flow, and manage long-term remedial works.
A counterbalance failure had caused the barrier to drop into the River Rother while it was flowing at a high level due to the heavy rain. This diverted a large volume of water into the surrounding floodplains, risking inundation of urban areas, businesses, and residential properties in Woodhouse Mill and the surrounding Rother Valley.
Working with blueprint designs provided by KGAL Consulting Engineers, Qualter Hall fabricated two large steel lifting frames in just three days to support lifting the gate back into its required position. An emergency response team, supported by Qualter Hall, assembled on-site on Wednesday, 18 December, and worked to achieve a controlled two-metre lift of the gate. Despite dwindling daylight and several on-site challenges, the team successfully completed the lift as planned.
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Jon Precious, Project Manager for BAM Nuttall, explained the complexities of the operation:
“Because of the sheer volume of water, the gate had to be lifted in small increments. This was essential to ensure the safety of people and infrastructure both upstream and downstream, as a significant backlog of water was being released.”
He emphasised the impact of the lift, stating, “The gate lift made a huge difference to the river levels experienced at the regulator.”
Telemetry data suggests that levels dropped by approximately three metres in three hours during the gate lift operation.
Mr. Precious added, “Sheffield experienced prolonged, heavy rain overnight and into the following morning, and subsequent readings suggest there may have been some local concern had the gate not been lifted as planned, as levels within the River Rother began to rise again due to the continued rainfall.”
Throughout the day, the team was approached by numerous residents and local stakeholders who expressed their gratitude that the gate was being lifted before the Christmas period. Individuals who had previously experienced flooding commented that their anxiety about potential future inundation had lessened now that the gate was secured.
The regulator gate was locked, made safe, and remained suspended on air hoists throughout the Christmas period. Lifting equipment, including additional lifting slings, was left in place as a precautionary measure to ensure the gate remained secure into the New Year.
BAM undertook regular monitoring of the site throughout the holiday period to maintain control.
