North East water situation: December 2024 summary
Updated 14 January 2025
Applies to England
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1. Summary
December rainfall totals were classed as above average, with notable amounts of rainfall recorded on 7 and 31 December. Monthly mean river flows increased this month at all indicator sites and fall within the normal and above normal ranges. Groundwater levels vary across the area and generally remain above normal due to the high rainfall recorded in previous months. Soil moisture deficit (SMD) data still shows wet soils across the area. All reservoirs in the area have either seen an increase or no change in stocks this month and remain healthy for the time of year.
2. Rainfall
Monthly rainfall totals were classed as above the long term average (LTA) for all catchments across the area. Monthly rainfall totals ranged from 101% of the LTA in the Seaham catchment to 119% of the LTA in the Tyne catchment.
Analysis of the daily rainfall shows a dry spell at the start of the month then a significant rainfall event on 7 December. The remainder of the month was also relatively dry with the exception of 31 December when large rainfall totals were recorded across the southern half of the area.
Cumulative 3-month rainfall totals are in the normal range for all catchments except the Seaham catchment which falls in the below normal range.
3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge
Soils are classed as wet with less than 10mm SMD across the area.
4. River flows
Monthly mean river flows have increased this month at all indicator sites and fall within the normal or above normal ranges. Monthly mean flows ranged from 86% of the LTA at Haydon Bridge on the River South Tyne to 129% of the LTA at Rothbury on the River Coquet.
Analysis of the daily mean flows shows that flows were in the notably low, below normal or normal ranges at the start of the month. Daily mean flows increased at all indicator sites following a period of significant rainfall on 7 December. Mean daily flows remained relatively steady for the remainder of the month up to 31 December when flows rapidly increased following a period of heavy rainfall in the south of the area. Peaks were recorded at all indicator sites with the exception of Heaton Mill on the River Till, where flows ended the month exceptionally low as the rainfall did not extend to the Till catchment. All other indicator sites fell within the normal, above normal or exceptionally high ranges by the end of the month.
5. Groundwater levels
Groundwater levels vary across the area. Levels in West Hall Farm borehole in the Wear Magnesian Limestone remain in the exceptionally high range. The level in Aycliffe NRA2 in the Skerne Magnesian Limestone decreased slightly and now falls within the above normal range. Royalty Observation is classed as above normal in the Fell Sandstone. Red Lion in the Skerne Magnesian Limestone and Town Law in the Fell Sandstone fall within the normal ranges for December.
6. Reservoir stocks
All reservoirs in the area have seen an increase in stocks this month, with the exception of the Lune and Balder group which remained the same. Stocks in the Durham group, Lune and Balder Group and Cow Green reservoir ended the month above 90% full. Overall, reservoir stocks remain healthy for the time of year.
| Reservoir or reservoir group | Percentage of current stocks | Percentage of previous month stocks |
|---|---|---|
| Kielder | 87.3 | 81.9 |
| North Tynedale group | 80 | 76.6 |
| Derwent | 87.2 | 85.9 |
| Durham group | 96.6 | 90.1 |
| Lune and Balder group | 97.4 | 97.4 |
| Cow Green | 98.1 | 97.6 |
Author: GWHCL North East, hydrology.northeast@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.