File:Flooding In Dublin - River Dodder, The Day After.jpg

The River Dodder has a history of flooding and is known as a "flashy" river with a quick response to rainstorms. This is due to its source being in the Dublin mountains which provides it with a steep gradient. In the last century it has overflowed its banks on numerous occasions causing damage to adjacent properties. One of the most severe floods in recent times occurred on 25th August 1986 (Hurricane Charlie) with well over 300 properties affected by the flooding, leading to much human misery and anxiety. During this storm the reservoir dams in Bohernabreena were within millimetres of being overtopped. To secure the dams new spillways have been constructed at the Bohernabreena reservoirs to cater for the "Probable Maximum Flood". This work was completed in 2006. The other most notable flooding event occurred in February 1st 2002 when there was a significant high tide, over 600 properties were flooded on the lower Dodder downstream of Landsdowne Road Bridge.

In order to increase the level of protection on the River Dodder, the following work was carried out to the most vulnerable areas:

In 1986 flood walls were constructed at Donnybrook In 2003 work was started on the Dodder Estuary at Fitzwilliam Quay and Stella Gardens In 2006 work was completed on the Bohernabreena Reservoir Spillways