The Flood Estimation Handbook research programme was a £1.9m multi-funded initiative to develop & implement new generalised procedures for rainfall & flood frequency estimation in the UK. The Handbook and accompanying software were published in December 1999.
My role was pivotal in formulating, managing & delivering the research programme. For me, it was a huge one-off experience: ploughing new furrows in applied hydrological & statistical research to provide UK hydrologists and engineers with relevant & usable methods of rainfall & flood frequency estimation. The objectives of the research programme, and the design of FEH outputs, were informed by perceptions gained over many years of teaching & consulting with flood estimation methods based on the 1975 Flood Studies Report.
The Flood Estimation Handbook (FEH) research programme began fully in April 1994, with most research & writing completed by March 1999. The remainder of 1999 saw production of the 5-volume FEH and completion of the award-winning FEH CD-ROM software. This provides users with digital catchment information & rainfall frequency estimates for sites throughout the UK. The companion WINFAP-FEH software package supports the statistical procedures for flood frequency estimation presented in FEH Volume 3.
Because the FEH methods are both widely useful & widely used, there is a major requirement for continuing support, training, maintenance, integration and updating of FEH methods & software. I wish CEH Wallingford well in winning funds & cooperations for these activities, and hope that those committed to effective teamwork gain further recognition.
The official FEH website is maintained by CEH Wallingford.