From drought to flood: strategies for increasing resilience to both extremes

A new approach: integrated water resource management 

To build resilience against both extremes, water agencies must adopt a more holistic strategy. Integrated water resource management (IWRM) offers an adaptive framework for all water — drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, floodwater and reused water — in a coordinated way. By doing so, communities can improve efficiency and maximize the value of every drop. 

IWRM is more than a planning philosophy; it serves as a practical toolkit for building climate resilience. By integrating water needs across all systems, water managers can reduce capital and operational costs while strengthening water security and flood protection.

Five approaches to building resilience for droughts and floods  

Advances in water infrastructure and nature-based solutions (NbS) are creating new opportunities to capture ture floodwaters and repurpose them to mitigate drought impacts. While results vary depending on watershed characteristics such as soil, topography and land cover, these strategies strengthen water security and help communities withstand increasingly unpredictable weather.

1. Managed aquifer recharge 

Capturing excess water during floods or periods of high flow and storing it underground can help mitigate flood risks as part of a broader water management strategy, while also replenishing groundwater levels and improving water quality. In Provo City, Utah, United States (U.S.), a 30 million-gallon-per-day water treatment plant is being planned to capture and treat surface water for aquifer recharge via direct injection wells. By treating water to potable standards, the city can bypass groundwater wells and allow natural recovery, enhancing both flood resilience and long-term water supply.

2. Check dams

Small-scale dams built across drainage channels slow runoff rates, reduce erosion and store water for future use, which can be a valuable water management tool, particularly in rural areas. Traditionally, these dams have been used to manage post-construction erosion and sedimentation. More recently, some agencies have begun incorporating check dams in green infrastructure applications to manage localized flooding, enhance amenity and induce groundwater recharge by creating hydrologic conditions that support vegetation establishment in channels.   

In Maryland, U.S., we are currently designing the Little Foxes stormwater management facility, a restoration project in an urban watershed. It features a series of engineered log jams, built from native on-site materials, designed to slow stormwater runoff and promote natural geomorphic processes in an eroded stream reach. Over time, these interventions are designed to re-establish full floodplain and baseflow connectivity, while also mitigating peak flows during storm events. 

3. Smart water management

Smart water management uses real-time data and forecasting to dynamically adjust water storage and releases, helping communities respond to flood and drought conditions. Satellite data, AI and predictive models allow dam managers to release water ahead of floods or retain it during dry periods.  

In Scotland, United Kingdom (U.K), the Glasgow Smart Canal applies similar principles to urban flood resilience. It uses weather forecasting to predict heavy rainfall and automatically lowers canal water levels in advance of storms, creating capacity to absorb surface runoff. This innovation has reduced flood risk for existing communities and offered new land use options. The project blends heritage infrastructure with modern technology, demonstrating how smart systems can deliver climate resilience, support sustainable urban growth and enhance recreational amenities.

4. Restoration and NbS

Restoring forests, improving soil health and re-naturalizing rivers enhances water retention, infiltration and ecosystem resilience. In the U.K., restoration of the River Breamish’s natural floodplain is improving floodwater retention, groundwater recharge and aquatic habitat health. 

In Colorado, U.S., the Windy Gap Reservoir was reconfigured through the Colorado River Connectivity Channel project. This effort restored over a mile of stream length, added 50 acres of riparian floodplain and created 10 acres of wetlands. It improved fish passage, sediment transport and temperature regulation downstream, while enhancing biodiversity and recreational value. The project demonstrates how NbS can deliver environmental, social and economic benefits while supporting flood resilience and water security.

5. Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI)

Also known as water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) or sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS), GSI uses Nbs like rain gardens, bioswales, detention basins and permeable paving to manage stormwater locally. These amenity-enhancing systems slow runoff, reduce flood risk and support groundwater recharge, especially in urban areas. 

WSUD can also be applied to harvest rainwater for reuse in cities, reducing demand for potable water supplies and improving the quality of runoff entering natural ecosystems. In Hong Kong, we worked with the Hong Kong Housing Authority to incorporate rainwater harvesting into a local housing development plan — an innovative application of WSUD techniques, originally pioneered in Australia, adapted to a dense metropolitan context. 

In Mansfield, U.K., one of Nottinghamshire’s most flood-prone towns, a large-scale retrofit program is installing hundreds of sustainable drainage systems across streets and public spaces. Funded by Severn Trent Water, the Mansfield Sustainable Flood Resilience project is designed to capture millions of liters of rainwater, reduce flood risk and create greener, more climate-resilient neighborhoods. 

Investing in resilience 

To strengthen water security and flood management in a changing climate, communities must address flood and drought risks together. Managing water as a unified system improves planning, reduces long-term costs and enhances resilience to extreme weather. Stormwater capture and aquifer recharge offer cost-effective alternatives to distant or energy-intensive water sources. NbS and green infrastructure help avoid future risks, reduce pollution, support biodiversity and deliver social and climate benefits. 

Implementing integrated water resource management requires investment in infrastructure, governance and technology. Regulatory frameworks like California’s groundwater policies and Australia’s Nature Repair Market are paving the way. Decision-support tools and forecasting systems will be essential to manage uncertainty and optimize resources. By planning for both ends of the hydrological cycle, communities can better prepare for extremes and reduce the risks of too much or too little water.