Lancaster University student wins national award for flooding research project

A Lancaster University student has won a national award for his recent research project.

Alex Waterer, an environmental science graduate, was presented the British Hydrological Society (BHS) Student Award 2026 at the BHS symposium in Leeds earlier this month.

He received the prestigious award for the best final year undergraduate dissertation in the UK on a hydrological subject.

Alex’s dissertation used a new modelling approach to extend river level and discharge records and better estimate the flood risk in Grasmere, Cumbria.

He used data from a gauging station downstream in Ambleside  to “hindcast” river levels and discharge at Grasmere, extending flood records back from 2020 to 1981.

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On his findings, Alex said: “The reconstructed record revealed that a reliance on short observational records can be misleading with regards to flood risk.

“By making better use of related hydrological data, we can reveal previously unseen patterns of flood risk to help in the design flood mitigation works, and support communities to better prepare for likely future floods.

“Recognition of the value of my research and its potential contribution to flood risk management nationally is a significant honour.”

Dr. Nick Chappell, Alex’s supervisor at the Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC), said: “Alex has been an exemplary student and has a bright future helping others assess and reduce flood risk by applying and deepening his skills developed at Lancaster.”

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