Research and analysis

North-west England water situation: March 2025 summary

Updated 14 April 2025

Applies to England

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

1. Rainfall

Rainfall for north-west England during March was classed as exceptionally low with 33% of the long-term average (LTA). The Cumbria and Lancashire area observed 33% of the LTA classed as exceptionally low while the Greater Manchester Merseyside and Cheshire (GMC) received 32% classed as notably low.

Over the course of March, rainfall observed for the hydrological areas across north-west England was classed between notably low and exceptionally low. Six hydrological areas were classed as notably low and 4 were classed as exceptionally low. The highest rainfall (in terms of the LTA) was observed in the Esk (Dumfries) with 36% of the LTA classed as exceptionally low and the lowest was observed in the Ribble with 30% of the LTA also classed as exceptionally low. All hydrological areas except for the Douglas received rainfall within their top 10 lowest for March since 1871. Rainfall was low throughout north-west England for March and spread evenly across the whole area with no high points.

Cumulative rainfall over the past 3 months was classed between normal and exceptionally low with lower rainfall being seen further north and higher rainfall further south. The lowest rainfall was in the Esk (Dumfries) with 57% of the LTA classed as exceptionally low. The highest was in Cheshire Rivers Group hydrological area with 83% of the LTA classed as normal.

The 6-month cumulative rainfall totals show a similar pattern to the 3-month totals with higher rainfall being observed further south and lower toward the north. The 6-month cumulative rainfall was classed between above normal and notably low with the highest (in terms of LTA) again being seen in Cheshire Rivers Group with 109% of the LTA classed as above normal and the lowest being recorded in the Esk (Dumfries) and Derwent hydrological areas both with 78% of the LTA and being classed as notably low and below normal respectively.

The 12-month cumulative rainfall totals for north-west England were classed between exceptionally high and normal. The highest rainfall (in terms of LTA) was once again recorded in the Cheshire Rivers Group with 127% of the LTA classed as exceptionally high and the lowest in the Ribble with 98% of the LTA classed as normal. Unlike the 3-month and 6-month cumulative rainfall totals there is less of a clear pattern in spatial variability.

2. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

Low rainfall during March across the north-west of England resulted in a noticeable increase in soil moisture deficit from the saturated conditions at the end of February. SMD levels fell between 0 and 40mm and were slightly higher than expected for the time of year except in north Cumbria where they were as expected.

3. River flows

As a result of the low rainfall during March there was a further reduction in river flows across north-west England with many of the sites beginning to report low flow alarms. Monthly mean river flows for north-west England for March were classed between below normal and exceptionally low, 2 being classed as below normal, 7 as notably low and 16 as exceptionally low with the lowest flows being observed in CLA and the higher ones in GMC. The highest monthly mean river flow (in terms of LTA) was recorded in the River Bollin at Bollington Mill with 55% of the LTA classed as Exceptionally low and the lowest was in the River Eden at Kirkby Stephen with 21% of the LTA also classed as exceptionally low.

4. Groundwater levels   

Groundwater levels across north-west England at the end of March were classed as between exceptionally high and exceptionally low. Two sites have changed classification since the end of February.

• Furness Abbey decreased from notably high to above normal
• Great Musgrave decreased from normal to exceptionally low

All other sites remained the same classification at:

• Brown bank lay by as normal
• Bruntwood Hall as above normal
• Lea Lane as normal
• Primrose Hill as normal
• Skirwith as normal
• Victoria Road as normal
• Priors Heyes as exceptionally high
• Richmond Park as exceptionally high

Please note, levels at Priors Heyes remain high compared to historic levels because the aquifer is recovering from the effects of historically high abstractions.

5. Reservoir stocks

Total reservoir stocks for north-west England decreased from 87% at the end of February to 81% at the end of March. This is lower than the average of 94% at this time of year as well as lower than this time last year when total reservoir stocks were 93%.

At the end of March reservoir storage (in terms of percentage) was highest at Crummock water at 100% full and lowest at Rivington at 69%.

The combined storage at Haweswater and Thirlmere was 75%, being lower than the 94% average storage at this time of year and lower than last year when storage was 98%. Haweswater storage is the lowest it has been at the end of March since records began in 1980.

Reservoirs kept low for maintenance works include part of the:

• Longdendale system – Audenshaw No.1, Torside
• Rivington system – Anglezarke, and High Bullough
• Bolton supply system – Dingle
• Piethorne Valley system – Norman Hill, Kitcliffe, and Rooden
• Ogden (Barley) system – Ogden Lower, and Ogden Upper
• Barnacre Group system – Barnacre North
• Longridge system - Alston No.1, Alston No.2, and Spade Mill No.2
• Dee (Celyn and Brenig) system – Llyn Celyn
• Dubbs system – Dubbs
• Watergrove system – Watergrove

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 herein.

Author: Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire, hydrology.GMMYCH@environment-agency.gov.uk