Most of the catchment descriptors and statistics are based, directly or indirectly, on the Integrated Hydrological Digital Terrain Model (IHDTM) and may differ slightly from corresponding descriptors derived using different digital terrain models. For a few gauging stations where the drainage paths are difficult to determine (e.g. for some spring sources) or do not reflect local topography (e.g. artificial channels used for water transfers), realistic catchment descriptors cannot be derived.
The full list of FEH Catchment Descriptors and a description are provided below. Details of the derivation and utility of these descriptors are given in Volume 5 of the Flood Estimation Handbook (FEH).
For information on new catchment descriptors (FARL2015, SAAR9120, BFIHOST19SCALED, URBEXT2015), further information is available in the New FEH Catchment Descriptors 2025 report.