A flood risk appraisal for the Whitesands was commissioned in 2006. A range of options were presented that would lead to reduced flood levels in the town centre. This flood risk appraisal included hydrological analysis, river flood modelling, optioneering and cost/benefit assessment.

The following options were considered as part of this study: Direct flood defences (fixed, demountable and raisable). Utilising upstream offline storage at Dalscone. Utilising upstream offline storage between Friar's Carse and Dalscone. Utilising upstream online storage at Craig Pool. Combination of the offline and online storage options.

The study concluded that the preferred option involves a combination of breaching existing embankments between Friar's Carse and Dalscone and the construction of direct defences in the town centre. While the upstream storage helps to reduce the flood flows moving downstream it would not prevent flooding in the Whitesands completely. The construction of embankments 1.4m high with temporary demountable units up to a total height of 2.3m are therefore required to provide protection up to the 1 in 200 year flood event.

Allowing floodplain areas that are currently protected by embankments to flood will require some local protection works at Dalscone Sewage Works and the farms between Friar's Carse and Dalscone. These areas would have to be investigated further during design to ensure that the local flood risk in these areas is not increased. In addition the secondary flooding via sewers or drainage systems would require further consideration at detail development stage.

Dumfries and Galloway Council are currently updating the hydrological model.

Previous studies have been undertaken on the Nith at the Whitesands.  Copies of reports from 1988 and 1983 can be found below:

 Whitesands Flood Defences 1983 Report [4Mb]
 Whitesands Flood Defences 1988 Report Part One [2Mb]
 Whitesands Flood Defences 1988 Report Part Two [5Mb]

• Whitesands Flood Risk Appraisal [PDF] [1Mb]
• Whitesands Flood Risk Appraisal - Appendix 1 - Hydrological Audit Trail [PDF] [749kb]
• Whitesands Flood Risk Appraisal - Appendix 2 - Flood Maps [PDF] [1Mb]
• Whitesands Flood Risk Appraisal - Engineering Option Drawings - Figure 3.1 [PDF] [1Mb]
• Whitesands Flood Risk Appraisal - Engineering Option Drawings - Figure 3.2 [PDF] [1Mb]
• Whitesands Flood Risk Appraisal - Engineering Option Drawings - Figure 3.3 [PDF] [7Mb]
• Whitesands Flood Risk Appraisal - Engineering Option Drawings - Figure 3.4 [PDF] [7Mb]
• Whitesands Flood Risk Appraisal - Engineering Option Drawings - Figure 3.5 [PDF] [5Mb]
• Whitesands Flood Risk Appraisal - Engineering Option Drawings - Figure 3.6 [PDF] [446kb]
• Whitesands Flood Risk Appraisal - Engineering Option Drawings - Figure 3.7 [PDF] [101kb]
• Whitesands Flood Risk Appraisal - Appendix 4 - Environmental Assessment [PDF] [5Mb]
• Whitesands Flood Risk Appraisal - Appendix 5 - FCD PAG3 Spreadsheets [PDF] [8Mb]
• Whitesands Flood Risk Appraisal - Appendix 6 - Strategic Evaluation [PDF] [64kb]
• Whitesands Flood Risk Appraisal - Appendix 7 - Draft Brief for a Flood Prevention Scheme [PDF] [62kb]