Jacobs Solutions Inc.

04/01/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/01/2026 01:21

Protecting the Thames Estuary: Modeling to provide a reliable evidence base to safeguard millions of residents and billions in assets.

Tidal flooding in the Thames Estuary threatens 1.51 million people and billions of pounds of property along the River Thames - making it one of the U.K.'s most critical and vulnerable regions. The Environment Agency is leading a strategic response to address this. In collaboration with the client, Jacobs and JBA Consulting are leading the Thames Estuary 2100 (TE2100) Modelling Project, a key pillar of the Thames Estuary 2100 strategy. This project is building the robust evidence base essential for climate-resilient decisions on upgrading flood defenses for a changing climate. By turning complex data into clear, actionable insight, it empowers planners, developers and communities to protect lives, safeguard infrastructure and secure a sustainable future.

Delivering a single source of truth for flood risk

Spanning about 100 kilometers from Teddington in the west to Shoeburyness and the Isle of Grain in the east, the Thames Estuary presents one of the most complex flood modeling environments in the United Kingdom. The area is shaped by a dynamic interplay of tides, tidal surges, river flows and the operation of major tidal barriers such as the Thames Barrier and tributary control structures. Accurately modeling this system requires advanced approaches to capture the interactions between tidal dynamics, estuarine hydraulics and future climate scenarios - ensuring that the Environment Agency and other risk management authorities have the evidence needed to manage tidal flood risk effectively across this nationally significant region. This will directly inform the Environment Agency's National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA2), development planning and future infrastructure investment.

Driving efficiency and resilience through innovation

Jacobs and JBA bring together extensive experience in flood risk modeling, deep knowledge of the Thames Estuary and a strong history of collaboration with the Environment Agency. Our approach reflects a commitment to technical excellence, innovation and practical delivery - ensuring the modeling outputs are not only scientifically robust but also actionable and aligned with long-term flood risk management goals.

By integrating advanced tools and proven methodologies, the team is setting a new standard for how complex flood modeling projects are delivered at scale. Key innovations include:

  • Faster, more reliable insights via Jacobs' Flood Platform - a cloud-based modeling environment that reduces run time and increases accuracy to inform urgent decisions
  • Smarter investment enabled by Jacobs' Automated Breach Modeling System - a bespoke system integrated into Flood Platform to manage more than 15,000 breach simulations efficiently, ensuring defenses are prioritized where risk is greatest

Together, these innovations are expected to deliver significant time, cost and carbon savings while enhancing the quality and transparency of modeling outputs.

Creating lasting social and environmental value

The project's outcomes extend beyond technical results, with Jacobs and JBA committed to ensuring that the TE2100 Modelling Project generates meaningful benefits for people, communities and the environment. Our approach to social value is embedded throughout the project - supporting education, skills development, carbon reduction and inclusive engagement - while aligning with the Environment Agency's broader sustainability and equity goals. Social value commitments include:

  • Supporting and developing young professionals to inspire future talent in industry
  • Raising awareness of flood risk through local science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) engagement
  • Sharing knowledge and best practices across the wider industry

Real-world impact for a resilient estuary

The TE2100 Modelling Project delivers science-led solutions to help the Thames Estuary adapt to climate change, protect vital infrastructure and plan with confidence. By providing a consistent evidence base, Jacobs and JBA are strengthening resilience and creating lasting benefits for people, places and the planet.

"With 1.51 million people and £400 ($546) billions of property at risk, the Thames Estuary is one of the most vulnerable and economically significant regions in the United Kingdom", says Jacobs Senior Vice President Amy Bentley. "This project will play a vital role in shaping how flood risk is understood and managed - now and into the future. We're proud to bring our technical excellence and innovation to support the Environment Agency's vision for a climate-resilient estuary."

"This project will provide us with an updated evidence base on which we can plan for the critical upgrades needed for tidal flood defenses across the Thames Estuary, as part of our Thames Estuary 2100 Plan," says Environment Agency London Director Charlotte Wood. "Innovation and collaboration are essential to ensure we can create a climate-resilient Thames Estuary for future generations."

Jacobs Solutions Inc. published this content on April 01, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 01, 2026 at 07:21 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]