 Because of the low-lying nature of the terrain, the area is entirely dependent on pumped drainage to prevent it from being flooded.The Commissioners of the Burnt Fen First District were formed by Act of Parliament in 1759, and managed the drainage ditches and pumping stations until 1962, when the Burnt Fen Drainage District was expanded a little, and a new Internal Drainage Board was constituted to manage the area.They are responsible for of land, which includes of drainage ditches and two pumping stations, one on the River Lark, and the other on the Great Ouse.