East Anglia water situation: February 2025 summary
Updated 12 March 2025
Applies to England
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1. Summary
Rainfall across East Anglia through the month of February was approximately average for the time of year. Rainfall across the area ranged from 97% to 119% of the long term average (LTA). River flows in February were also close to the LTA for the time of year. The soil moisture deficit (SMD) across the region was 10mm or less by the end of February. Groundwater levels remain healthy with most catchments at normal or above for the time of year. Public water supply reservoirs are all above their respective operating curves.
2. Rainfall
The East Anglia rainfall total for February was close to the LTA, with all catchments receiving normal rainfall totals for the time of year. The month began dry, with heaviest rainfall occurring towards the end of the month. North Norfolk was the only catchment to receive below average rainfall for the month. Overall, across the last 3 months the total rainfall has also been close to the LTA. Cumulative rainfall totals over the past 12 months have been above average in western East Anglia, with the eastern catchment totals being closer to the LTA.
3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge
SMD across East Anglia were 10mm or less by the end of February. These SMD values are slightly below the LTA for February. The SMD reduced sharply during September 2024 in response to the high rainfall totals. With broadly average rainfall and declining evapotranspiration rates throughout autumn and winter, the SMD continued to decline through this period. This declining trend has levelled off, with the SMD expected to increase with the higher temperatures and longer day lengths of spring.
4. River flows
The majority of East Anglia river flow sites recorded flows close to their LTAs for February, with 3 sites recording above normal flows for the time of year. These elevated flows were in response to higher rainfall totals received within these catchments. The Rhee is a chalk-fed catchment which continues to record above normal flows, supported by the high groundwater levels in this area.
5. Groundwater levels
East Anglia groundwater levels at the end of February remain normal or higher for the time of year. The highest groundwater levels for the area were recorded to the south west, with Therfield continuing to record exceptionally high levels.
6. Reservoir stocks
Storage in East Anglia public water supply reservoirs is healthy for the time of year, with all reservoirs finishing February with a level above their respective normal operating curves.
7. Forward look
7.1 Probabilistic ensemble projections for river flows at key sites
River flow projections show a high probability of normal or higher flows by the end of March 2025. River flow projections for June 2025 predict a greater than 60% chance that all catchments will have normal or higher flows. Projections for the Ely Ouse catchment show a small chance of below normal flows by the end of June 2025.
7.2 Probabilistic ensemble projections for groundwater levels in key aquifers
Groundwater level projections show a high probability of normal or higher groundwater levels by the end of March 2025. The Therfield Rectory projection indicates levels will remain notably high to exceptionally high across March. Groundwater level projections for September 2025 show a high probability of normal or higher levels continuing into the autumn. The projections suggest that boreholes in the south of the area have a higher chance of above normal levels by the autumn compared to sites in the centre and north of the area.
Author: Hydrology Team, hydrology-ean-and-lna@environment-agency.gov.uk
All data are provisional and may be subject to revision. The views expressed in this document are not necessarily those of the Environment Agency. Its officers, servants or agents accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from the interpretation or use of the information, or reliance upon views contained in this report.