Hydrology and Flooding
The mean flow as measured at Frampton Cottrell is 60 cubic feet per second (1.7 m3/s), with a peak on 30 October 2000 of 788 cubic feet per second (22.3 m3/s) and a minimum on 10 August 1990 of 1.0 cubic foot per second (0.028 m3/s). The mean flow as measured at Frenchay is 60 cubic feet per second (1.7 m3/s), with a peak on 10 July 1968 of 2,474 cubic feet per second (70.1 m3/s) and a minimum on 9 August 1976 of 2.8 cubic feet per second (0.079 m3/s).
The Environment Agency in 2008 classified the river as Grade A (highest grade) for chemical content, but the biology was assessed at C grade (mid). Measurements were taken over a stretch of river between Bradley Brook and Broomhill.
Where it passes through Bristol the river was prone to flooding, but the Northern Stormwater Interceptor, running from Eastville Sluices to the River Avon downstream of Clifton Suspension Bridge, has since been constructed to control this. At Wade Street, St Judes, the river enters an underground culvert, emerging at what Bristolians call The Centre (formerly the 'Tramways Centre'), but only when there is a risk of flooding. The river is otherwise channelled through Mylne's Culvert into the River Avon at a point between Bathurst Basin and Gaol Ferry Bridge. Three further flood relief tunnels- Castle Ditch, Fosseway and Castle Green Tunnel - run under Castle Park in central Bristol to carry excess flows into the Floating Harbour.
Major floods have included Mina Road, St Werburghs and Wellington Road in October 1882; Eastville, St Werburghs and Broadmead in 1936 and 1937; Eastville Park and nearby due to melting snow in 1947; 1968 Bristol Rovers F.C. old ground at Eastville. The Broadmead area still remains at risk of flooding in severe weather conditions.
In December 2011, a kayaker was killed after capsizing in the flooded river at Snuff Mills weir in Frenchay during a night-time paddle.
Read more about this topic: River Frome, Bristol