North East water situation: September 2024 summary
Updated 11 October 2024
Applies to England
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1. Summary
The first 3 weeks of September were dry with little rainfall recorded. A prolonged rainfall event impacted parts of the North East area from 25 to 27 September. Monthly rainfall totals therefore varied across the area from normal to notably high. Monthly mean river flows also varied and fell within either the normal or above normal 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 south of the area. Reservoir stocks have generally decreased but remain healthy for the time of year.
2. Rainfall
Monthly rainfall totals were classed as below the long term average (LTA) for the Tweed, Tyne and Northumbria North Sea Tribs catchments. Totals were classed as above average for the Wear, Seaham and Tees catchments. September rainfall totals were classed as notably high for the Tees catchment, above normal for the Wear and Seaham catchments and normal for the Tyne, Tweed and Northumbria North Sea Tribs. Monthly rainfall totals ranged from 79% of the LTA in the Northumbria North Tribs catchment to 174% of the LTA in the Seaham catchment.
Analysis of the daily rainfall shows very little rainfall was recorded across the area in the first 23 days of September. Significant rainfall was recorded in the southern part of the North East area in the final week of September with prolonged rainfall recorded from 25 to 27 September. This rainfall event was particularly impactful in the Redcar and Cleveland area and parts of North Yorkshire. Some very high rainfall accumulations were recorded during this period with 134% of the LTA monthly rainfall recorded in a 24 hour period at Easby rain gauge in the lower Tees on 26 September.
Cumulative 12 month rainfall totals show that all catchments in the North East area recorded exceptionally high totals.
3. Soil moisture deficit
Soils are classed as wet across the west and south of the area. Soils are classed as dry in the Till and Northumberland coastal catchments at the end of September.
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 65% of the LTA at Heaton Mill on the River Till to 167% of the LTA at Rutherford Bridge on the River Greta.
Analysis of the daily mean flows shows that flows were in the normal or below normal ranges at the start of the month. Daily mean flows generally remained in the normal range for the first 3 weeks following a period of little recorded rainfall across the area. In response to the prolonged rainfall event from 25 to 27 September river flows increased at all indicator sites with the greatest peaks observed in the lower Tees catchment. Great Ayton on the River Leven recorded its fifth highest peak river level since records began in 2001. Flows generally remained high and indicator sites 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 in the same category 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 a decrease in stocks this month, with the exception of Durham group which has recorded an increase. Overall, reservoir stocks remain healthy and above average for the time of year.
| Reservoir or reservoir group | Percentage of current stocks | Percentage of previous month stocks |
|---|---|---|
| Kielder | 80.2 | 87.3 |
| North Tynedale group | 69.6 | 74.2 |
| Derwent | 76.4 | 81.4 |
| Durham group | 79.6 | 74.6 |
| Lune and Balder group | 82 | 82.4 |
| Cow Green | 99.7 | 100 |
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.