PROJECT INFORMATION
All the key facts about
Kemnay Flood Protection Study
To develop a comprehensive understanding of the extent and impact of flooding in Kemnay, we gathered records of historic flood events from multiple sources.
Kemnay has a long history of flooding due to its location on a bend of the River Don, where high levels can spill into low-laying parts of the village during periods of prolonged or intense rainfall. Flooding has mainly affected areas close to the river. Two primary flooding hotspots were identified in Kemnay, which have experienced property impacts due to either fluvial or surface water flooding:
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Kembhill Park - affected mainly by river flooding from the River Don.
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Milton Meadows - affected by river flooding and local surface water ponding.
Flood records show that river flooding has occurred several times over recent decades, while surface water flooding tends to occur more frequently during intense rainfall, even when river levels are lower.
One of the most significant recent floods occurred in January 2016 during Storm Frank, when exceptionally heavy rainfall caused River Don to overtop its banks. Around 40-50 homes in Kemnay were flooded, with water entering properties from the river as well as overloaded drains and sewers. This event is widely regarded as the worst flooding experienced in the village in living memory.
Kemnay has also experienced repeated flooding in more recent years, including a notable event in November 2022, when heavy rainfall led to flood warning being issued and flooding of land and properties in the usual hotspots areas. These events highlighted the ongoing vulnerability of parts of the village to flooding from the River Don and surface water during extreme weather.
Information about past floods has come from many sources, including Council records, SEPA data, photographs, media reports, historical mapping and feedback from local residents. This flood history has played a key role in shaping the Kemnay Flood Protection Study, helping to confirm where flooding happens, how water moves through the town, and which areas are most at risk.
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Kemnay is currently at risk of flooding from both the River Don and surface water, particularly during periods of prolonged rainfall or intense storms. The River Don is the main source of flood risk in the town and can overtop its banks during larger flood events, affecting low-laying areas close to the river.
The Flood Protection Study indicates that the highest flood risk is concentrated in two areas:
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Kembhill Park - where river flooding from the River Don can spread into nearby parks and residential streets.
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Milton Meadows - which is vulnerable to river flooding and local surface water ponding when drainage systems cannot discharge into the river.
Flood mapping:
Flood maps have been produced as part of the Flood Protection Study to show where flooding may occur in Kemnay, how deep floodwater could be, and which areas are most affected during different rainfall event rarity (frequency).
These maps are an important tool for understanding flood risk across the town. They help identify areas most in need of protection and have been used to inform the development of proposed flood mitigation measures. While the maps provide a detailed picture of flood behaviour, they show potential flooding, not a prediction of exactly what will happen in any specific event.
Flood maps are included as an appendix in the Main Flood Protection Study Report.
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What do we propose to reduce flood risk at Kemnay?
As part of the Kemnay Flood Study, a wide range of potential ways to reduce flood risk were first identified. These initial ideas included a mix of natural and engineered approaches. The options were then screened to remove those that were clearly unsuitable for the area.
The remaining options were short-listed and assessed in more detail using a range of criteria, including how well they reduce flood risk, their environmental impact, and their cost. This process, called multi-criteria assessment, helps identify the most effective and balanced solutions.
Finally, the economic benefits of each option were compared to their estimated costs to understand their value for money, using a measure called the Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR). This ensures that any future flood protection scheme delivers the greatest benefit to the community.
Explore the shortlisted options below:
The following documents contain the full long-list of actions:
