Lee Flood Relief Channel

The Lee Flood Relief Channel (FRC) is located in the Lea Valley and flows between Ware, Hertfordshire, and Stratford, east London.

Since it was completed in 1976, there have been no major flood events in the Lea Valley, although there have been three occasions when the river system was full virtually to its capacity: in 1987, 1993 and 2000.

The Environment Agency published a strategic environmental assessment in 2008, which looked at ways to maintain the flood defences in the Lea Valley.

The water forms a natural boundary for the Royal Gunpowder Mills as it passes through the mechanically controlled radial gates of the David Stoker sluice near Waltham Abbey.

The channel crosses Rammey Marsh to form the eastern boundary of the former Royal Small Arms Factory, which is now a housing development called Enfield Island Village.

Newmans Sluices on the River Lee Flood Relief Channel, pictured on a day of strong water flow
Flood Relief Channel at Feildes Weir
The channel at the Central lagoon, Nazeing Mead, Nazeing
The channel below the B194 road bridge at Nazeing
The confluence of the River Lee Flood Relief Channel in foreground with the River Lea to become the River Lee Diversion below Enfield Island Village before flowing around the eastern perimeter of the King George V Reservoir