About EES
The Essex Estuaries are located on the east coast of England.

The Roach and Crouch estuary complex drains into the Outer Thames Estuary between two areas of reclaimed marshes; the Dengie Peninsula to the north and the islands of Foulness, Potton, and Wallasea to the south.

The Blackwater and Colne estuary complex drains into the Outer Thames Estuary between the reclaimed marshes of the Dengie Peninsular to the south and Clacton-on-Sea to the north-east.

Hamford Water (Walton Backwaters) is a tidal inlet formed in the protection of the Naze to the north of Walton.

The Stour Estuary is situated on the border of Suffolk and Essex whilst the Orwell Estuary is located in South Suffolk . The two estuaries merge between Felixstowe and Harwich and drain into the North Sea .

The Essex Estuaries support an abundance of wildlife, and the estuaries are designated as being of international importance because of their nature conservation interest. Furthermore, the estuaries are important for tourism and recreation with activities such as sailing, walking and fishing contributing significantly to the local economy.

Why are the Essex Estuaries Flood Management Strategies needed?
The flood defences within the Essex estuaries have been built and maintained over many years in order to protect farmland and communities against flooding from the sea.

Certain sections of the flood defences are coming to the end of their current life, with some needing to be replaced over the next few years. Additionally, the threat of future global warming and rising sea levels may increase the risk of flooding if flood defences are not improved. Concerns over the potential damage to businesses, homes, farms, recreation, tourism and important wildlife habitats adjacent to the estuaries prompted the Environment Agency to commission the development of the Essex Estuaries Flood Management Strategies.

There is a clear need for flood management at many sites within the estuary complex but this cannot be achieved without a coherent strategy to minimise future pressures on the natural estuary development. This does not imply reverting to its original shape but instead taking into account the many complex socio-economic, engineering, physical process and environmental issues.

What is a Flood Management Strategy?
The Government encourages operating bodies such as the Environment Agency to consider flood management in an integrated and sustainable way by looking at the whole of each estuary rather than individual sections. A long term plan, known as a flood management strategy for each estuary, is developed which sets out the policy and objectives for flood defence taking into account a broad range of local interests and issues. Within this framework we can make decisions about providing the most appropriate flood management schemes and this approach allows us to manage the whole flood defence system more effectively.

Status of the Essex Estuary Flood Management Strategies
The Essex Estuary Flood Management Strategies are already being developed. The strategy for the Roach and Crouch is almost complete, whilst the strategies for the Colne and Blackwater, Hamford Water and Stour and Orwell are at various stages of development.

Flood management strategies are also being developed for the Blythe, Alde and Ore , and Deben estuaries as part of the Suffolk Estuarine Strategies, but do not form part of this present study.