Research and analysis

Midlands water situation report: May 2024 summary

Updated 21 June 2024

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

Please see Section 7.3 of the main report for a map detailing the Midlands regional coverage of this report.  

Rainfall - As of the end of May, 3 sites recorded normal rainfall totals relative to the long term average (LTA). One site recorded notably high rainfall totals and the other 8 recorded above normal rainfall totals.    

Soil moisture deficit - As of the end of May, the east and a central part of the Midlands recorded a soil moisture deficit (SMD) between 11mm and 40mm. The rest of the Midlands soils were saturated or at ‘field capacity’.   

River flows - Nine sites recorded notably high monthly mean flows compared to the LTA. Six sites recorded above normal and a further 6 sites recorded normal flows compared to the LTA. 

Groundwater levels - As of the end of May, all groundwater monitoring stations recorded normal groundwater levels or above compared to the LTA. Four of the sites recorded exceptionally high. One site recorded notably high ground water levels. Two sites recorded above normal groundwater levels and one site recorded normal groundwater levels.   

Reservoir stocks - As of the end of May, the Dove recorded below average storage compared to the LTA. All other Midlands reservoirs in this report recorded above average storage compared to the LTA.

2. Rainfall 

During May, all the Midlands hydrological catchments received normal or above rainfall totals relative to the LTA. The Lower Wye and Welsh Mountains in the west of the Midlands and the Soar in the east received normal rainfall totals ranging from 107% to 121% of the LTA. The Dove in the north of the catchment received a notably high rainfall total at 166% of the LTA. The other 8 Midland’s hydrological catchments recorded above normal rainfall totals ranging from 124% to 149% of the LTA. In the last 3 months, 5 hydrological catchments recorded exceptionally high rainfall totals relative to the LTA. These were Upper Trent, Dove and Derwent in the north and Lower Severn and Avon in the south. All other hydrological catchments recorded notably high rainfall totals ranging from 130% to 151% of the LTA. Looking at the last 6 months, all of the Midlands hydrological areas recorded exceptionally high rainfall totals compared to the 6 month LTA. These areas all recorded rainfall totals, ranging from 142% to 168% of LTA respectively. Over the last 12 months, all hydrological catchments with the exception of the Lower Wye recorded exceptionally high rainfall totals compared to the 12-month LTA. The Lower Wye recorded notably high rainfall at 137% of the LTA.

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

As of the end of May, SMD has remained 10mm or less for the majority of the Midlands. Parts of the Midlands in the east and a central area recorded SMD totals of 11mm to 40mm. Soils across all of the Midlands were wetter than the LTA for May.

4. River flows

River flows in May show that all flow sites in the Midlands hydrological area recorded normal or above monthly mean flows compared to the LTA. Nine sites recorded notably high monthly mean flows compared to the LTA. They were located mainly in the north and the south of the Midlands and ranged from 146% to 211%. Six sites recorded above normal monthly mean flows in the north and south-east of the region. A further 6 sites recorded normal monthly mean flows ranging between 87% and 126% in the north and south-west of the Midlands.

5. Groundwater levels   

As of the end of May, groundwater monitoring stations are of normal groundwater levels or above. Four of the sites recorded exceptionally high groundwater levels compared to the LTA. They were Weir Farm, Four Crosses, Coxmoor and Rider Point in the north of the Midlands. Anthonys Cross in the south-west of the Midlands recorded notably high groundwater levels compared to the LTA. Crossley Hill and Southards Lane in the north-east of the region recorded above normal. Ram Hall received normal groundwater levels.  

6. Reservoir stocks

As of the end of May, all of the Midlands reservoirs with the exception of the Dove recorded storage levels above the LTA. Reservoir storage across the region ranged from 93% to 100%. Furthermore, all reservoirs are at or near full capacity.

7. River Severn operations

The River Severn is regulated to maintain a minimum flow at Bewdley gauging station. This ensures sufficient water flows along the river to support environmental and water supply requirements. Regulation is instigated when flows drop below a threshold. Regulation has not yet been instigated for 2024.

8. River Wye operations

Elan storage was below the release control line up until 2 May, after which point storage had risen above the release control line. Elan storage then dropped below the release control line on 20 May up until 24 May, where storage raised above the release control line. Flows at Redbrook were above the regulation threshold throughout May.

9. Water abstraction restrictions

As of 4 June 2024 there are 2 water abstraction licence restrictions in place across the Midlands affecting 2 licences in total.

Author: Midlands Hydrology, midlandshydrology@environment-agency.gov.uk

Contact Details: 03708 506 506

Disclaimer: 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.