Top 5 blog posts of 2024
- Use cases
This collection of the top 5 Scalgo blogs from 2024 highlights a mix of innovative projects, cutting-edge tools and inspiring stories that redefine how we interact with water. From enhancing nature-based solutions to protecting wildlife, these stories showcase what’s possible with clear vision, collaboration and a focus on the future.
1. NatureInsight, for mapping and modelling the benefits of nature-based solutions
NatureInsight® tool makes it easy to plan Nature-based Solutions (NbS) across Great Britain. With an interactive map, you can find the best locations to capture carbon, create habitats or manage water. Instantly see benefits, estimate costs, and even model how storing water upstream reduces flooding. It’s a powerful tool to turn NbS ideas into actionable plans—fast, simple and ready to share with stakeholders!
Example of nature-based solutions. These large woody debris dams are implemented in Weardale, County Durham, as part of a large project by Environment Agency where Arup planned over 200 NbS. Photo by Alex Nicholson.
2. Nature restoration stories: Frog inventories
This blog highlights how Fredrik Engdahl, an aquatic ecologist, uses Scalgo Live to protect amphibians, such as frogs, during urban development projects. The tool maps water flow and accumulation, helping locate habitats, understand the frogs’ movement patterns and assess the impact of development plans. It allows Fredrik to design solutions, like new ponds, ensuring ecological function for amphibians.
Common toad on its way to breeding grounds. The male grooms a female and takes the opportunity to hitch a ride.
3. Scottish Water is preparing for the future with surface-based solutions
Scottish Water is rethinking flood management by focusing on entire catchment areas instead of individual properties. When traditional GIS-based tools for analysing water flow proved too slow and complex, they turned to Scalgo Live. “It does the same work in a fraction of the time,” says David Winter, Team Leader for Asset Strategy at Sottish Water, adding that it also allows terrain edits and solution testing for smarter flood planning.
Example from Scalgo Live. Analysis for flooding, catchment extent and flow paths.
4. Use Scalgo Live anywhere in the world
In this blog, we announced exciting updates to Scalgo Live that makes it easier than ever to work with terrain and surface water data globally. Users now get access to 12 countries covering over 10 million square kilometres. For other regions, users can also upload their own elevation data and gain full access to Scalgo Live's tools and analyses.
You can access detailed data and ready-made surface water analyses in 12 countries and everywhere else you can upload your own data to a workspace.
5. Idea to reality: Maximising nature’s potential on farmland through technology and collaboration
At Farrantshayes farm in Devon, UK, the Devon Wildlife Trust used Scalgo Live to restore wetlands, creating a win-win for both nature and farming. By safely testing different designs and running analyses, David Thomas, Devon Wildlife Trust’s Working Wetlands Advisor, brought back natural flood management, improved water quality and restored the area’s habitat.
In the final design, long bunds where planned using material from the excavation.
