Research and analysis

Devon and Cornwall water situation: February 2025 summary

Updated 12 March 2025

Applies to England

• Publication for Northern Ireland
• Publication for Scotland
• Publication for Wales

1. Summary

Devon and Cornwall received 106% of the February long term average (LTA) rainfall, which was normal for the time of year. Soil moisture deficit (SMD) increased slightly during the first half of February before decreasing again in the second half of the month, ending the month lower (wetter) than the LTA for the time of year. Monthly mean river flows were normal to above normal for the time of year across the area. Groundwater levels ended the month between normal and exceptionally high for the time of year. Total reservoir storage across Devon and Cornwall ended the month at 96%, with Wimbleball, Colliford and Roadford reservoirs at 100%, 89%, and 100% respectively at the end of February.

2. Rainfall

Devon and Cornwall received 108mm of rain during February (106% of the February LTA), which is classed as normal for the time of year. Rain fell throughout the month, but the most significant periods of rain occurred between 13 and 14 February and 18 to 25 February. February was the fourth month out of 5 months since the start of the water year (October) to have experienced above average rainfall.

In February, rainfall was normal in all hydrological areas. Cumulative rainfall was also normal across all hydrological areas in the last 3 months. In the last 6 months, cumulative rainfall was normal to notably high, and in the last 12 months cumulative rainfall was above normal to notably high for the time of year.

3. Soil moisture deficit

SMD increased in the first part of February, before decreasing again in the second half of the month. The average deficit for Devon and Cornwall remained below 10mm for the whole of February. The SMD at the end of February was similar to the SMD at the end of February 2024 and lower (wetter) than the LTA.

SMD was less than 10mm across the whole Devon and Cornwall area on 25 February, which is close to the LTA.

4. River flows

February monthly mean river flows were normal for the time of year at all sites across the area, except for Whitford on the River Axe. Whitford gauging station recorded above normal monthly mean river flows, however we have concerns around the quality of the data from this site in February.

Most reporting stations experienced a decrease in daily mean flows over the month before peaking in response to the increased rainfall towards the end of February. On 28 February, most reporting sites recorded above normal daily mean flows. The exceptions were Bellever on the River Dart and Chudleigh Bridge on the River Teign, which recorded normal daily mean flows, and Truro on the River Kenwyn, which recorded notably high daily mean flows for the time of year.

5. Groundwater levels   

On 28 February, groundwater levels were classed as follows:

• exceptionally high at Whitlands (monitoring the Upper Greensand)
• notably high at Branscombe Lane (monitoring the Dawlish Sandstone) and Woodbury Common No2 (monitoring the Budleigh Salterton Pebble Beds)
• above normal at Bussels No7A (monitoring the Dawlish Sandstone), Winnards Perch (monitoring the Staddon Formation) and Woodleys No1 (monitoring the Otterton Sandstone Formation)
• normal at Coleford Production (monitoring the Permian Breccias and Sandstones)

6. Reservoir stocks

Total reservoir storage was 96% at the end of February, which is an increase in storage of 2% since the end of January. This is the same as total storage at the same time last year and higher than total storage at the same time in 2022. At the end of the month, storage at Wimbleball, Colliford and Roadford was 100%, 89%, and 100% respectively, compared to 100%, 88%, and 100% this time last year.

Author: Devon and Cornwall Hydrology, hydrology.dandc@environment-agency.gov.uk

All data are provisional and maybe subject to revision. The views expressed in this document are not necessarily the views of the Environment Agency. Its officers, servants, or agents accept no liability for loss or damage arising from the interpretation or use of the information, or reliance upon views contained in this report.