‘HighWaterLine’ was a collaborative project between artist Eve Mosher and Bristol residents to draw attention to the potential threats of flooding in Bristol. The project involved drawing a 32 mile long chalk line around the river and harbour areas of Bristol to highlight local impacts of climate change and flooding on the city. 

The project aimed to stimulate residents to use art to engage people in Bristol with conversations about flooding, climate change impacts as well as solutions. Community members who lived and worked in a flood risk area used a sports pitch marker to mark the edge of the flood risk area. Bristol has the second highest tidal range in the world and although well managed there is increasing uncertainty as to how this might be affected by climate change and how it will interact with other kinds of flooding in the city. 

Why Bristol?
In January 2014 Bristol suffered the most dramatic flooding from the Avon River in over 20 years through storms and high tides. According to Bristol City Council data, the city is very susceptible to flooding due to increases in levels of the Bristol Channel passing through to the River Avon. The UK Climate Projections 2009 report also cited that the Bristol tidal surge height will increase most rapidly between 2010-60. Project advisor Lindsey McEwan, Professor of Environmental Management, Centre for Floods, Communities and Resilience, University of West of England (UWE), said: “Bristol is one of the five key areas of the UK that need to address community resilience to floods.”

CHALK DRAWING LOCATIONS: 
– Avon: Tow-path, Portway and Cumberland Basin
– Ashton Gate and Ashton Vale including Grenville – Smyth Park
– Hotwells
– Spike Island and Malago
– Historic Centre
– Broadmead
– St Judes and St Pauls
– St Werburghs, Easton and Eastville
– St Phillips Marsh
– Brislington
– From Brislington to Beese’s Bar and Tea Gardens

‘HighWaterLine’ was a partnership with the Unearthed History Collective, University of West of England, Bristol Civic Society, St Werburghs Living History, Alison Crowther Associates and Bristol City Council Flood Risk Management Team. The project was funded by Arts Council England, Lush Foundation and USA HighWaterLine Foundation support.

For more information visit the event website HighWaterLine Bristol and on Twitter at @BristolHighWL.

Image: © Drawing the chalk line in city centre, HighWaterLine Bristol, 2014. Photo Eve Mosher.