North East water situation: October 2024 summary
Updated 13 November 2024
Applies to England
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1. Summary
October was a month of 2 halves with the majority of rainfall recorded in the first half of the month. Monthly rainfall totals were classed as above average for October. Monthly mean river flows have increased this month at all indicator sites and fall within the above normal or notably high ranges. Groundwater levels remained the same as last month, generally falling into the normal or high ranges. Soil moisture deficit (SMD) data recorded an increase in wet soils across the area. All reservoirs in the area have seen an increase 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. October rainfall totals were classed as above normal for the Tweed and Northumbria North Sea Tribs catchments and normal for the rest of area. Monthly rainfall totals ranged from 111% of the LTA in the Seaham catchment to 186% of the LTA in the Tweed catchment.
Analysis of the daily rainfall shows a few rainfall spells were recorded across the area in the first week of October. Significant rainfall was recorded across the area on 8 and 9 October and again on 16 October with some very high rainfall accumulations recorded in a 24 hour period on 16 October. The final 2 weeks of October was fairly dry with little rainfall recorded.
Cumulative 3 month rainfall totals are all in the normal range. Cumulative 6 month totals are also in the normal range with the exception of the Tyne catchment which is classed as above normal.
3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge
Soils are classed as wet across the area with the exception of the eastern coastal area which is classed as normal.
4. River flows
Monthly mean river flows have increased this month at all indicator sites and fall within the above normal or notably high ranges. Monthly mean flows ranged from 145% of the LTA at Rutherford Bridge on the River Greta to 286% of the LTA at Hartford Bridge on the River Blyth.
Analysis of the daily mean flows shows that flows were in the normal or above normal ranges at the start of the month. Daily mean flows increased at all indicator sites from 7 October following a period of intense rainfall. Daily mean flows increased again on 16 October following another period of intense rainfall in the area with exceptionally high flows recorded across all indicator sites. In the second half of October flows decreased across all indicator sites following a fairly dry period and fell within the normal or above normal ranges by the end of the month.
5. Groundwater levels
Groundwater levels across all reporting boreholes have remained the same since last month. West Hall Farm on the Wear Magnesian Limestone, Aycliffe NRA2 on the Skerne Magnesian Limestone and Royal Observation on the Till Fell Sandstone remain in the exceptionally high range. Townlaw on the Fell sandstone remains at below normal levels. Red Lion on the Magnesian Limestone remains normal.
6. Reservoir stocks
All reservoirs in the area have seen an increase in stocks this month, with notable increases observed in the North Tynedale group, Durham group, Lune and Balder Group and Derwent reservoir. Cow Green reservoir is 100% 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 | 81.5 | 80.2 |
| North Tynedale group | 80.1 | 69.6 |
| Derwent | 89.2 | 76.4 |
| Durham group | 92.1 | 79.6 |
| Lune and Balder group | 98.5 | 82 |
| Cow Green | 100 | 99.7 |
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.