Research and analysis

North West water situation: July 2024 summary

Updated 14 August 2024

Applies to England

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

1. Rainfall

Rainfall for North West England for July was classed as normal with recording 106% of the long term average (LTA). The Cumbria and Lancashire (CLA) area observed 102% of the LTA while the Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire (GMC) area observed 132% of the LTA, both classed as normal.

During July the rainfall across all hydrological areas in North West England were classed as normal with the exception of the Cheshire Rivers group which was classed as above normal. The highest rainfall (in terms of the LTA) was recorded in the Cheshire Rivers Group hydrological area with 156% of the LTA and the lowest was recorded in the Ribble hydrological area with 80% of the LTA.

Over the last 3 months rainfall was classed between normal and notably high, all of GMC being classed as above normal with greater variation seen in CLA.

Normal rainfall was recorded in:

• Esk (Dumfries)
• Esk (Cumbria)
• Wyre and Lune
• Ribble

Above normal rainfall was recorded in:

• Derwent
• Kent

The only hydrological area to record notably high rainfall over the last 3 months was the Eden.

Due to the extremely wet weather recorded before June and July the 6-month cumulative rainfall totals show all hydrological areas across the North West being classed as exceptionally high with the exception of the Esk (Dumfries). It was the fifth wettest 6-month period ending in July since 1871 for North West England, the fourth wettest for CLA and third wettest for GMC.

Similarly, the 6-month period also ranked for the hydrological areas as follows:

• Third wettest for:

  • Cheshire rivers group
  • Kent
  • Douglas

• Fourth wettest for:

  • Derwent
  • Eden

• Fifth wettest for:

  • Esk (Cumbria)
  • Ribble
  • Wyre and Lune

The 12-month cumulative rainfall totals continue the pattern shown in the 6-month totals with all hydrological areas being classed as exceptionally high with the exception of the Esk (Cumbria) which is classed as normal. It was the wettest 12-month period ending in July since 1871 for all hydrological areas with the exception of the Ribble and the Esk (Dumfries), with:

• north-west England at 1647mm beating the previous record of 1580mm in 2020
• CLA at 1864mm beating the previous record of 1786mm in 2016
• GMC at 1291mm beating the previous record of 1190mm in 2007
• the Esk (Cumbria) at 2270mm beating the previous record of 2186mm in 2016
• the Derwent at 1933mm beating the previous record of 1921mm in 2016
• the Eden at 1701mm beating the previous record of 1638mm in 2016
• the Cheshire Rivers Group at 1153mm beating the previous record of 1074mm in 1920
• the Kent at 2438mm beating the previous record of 2222mm in 2016
• the Mersey and Irwell at 1413mm beating the previous record of 1316mm in 2020
• the Douglas at 1384mm beating the previous record of 1259mm in 2020
• the Wyre and Lune at 1895mm beating the previous record of 1873mm in 2020

2. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

The drier weather over the second half of July across North West England resulted in soil moisture deficits falling between 10 and 100mm. Levels generally decreased in Cumbria and increased within Lancashire and GMC. Due to previous wet months nearly all areas recorded levels lower than expected for the time of year with the exception of some coastal areas which were higher than expected.

3. River flows

Monthly mean river flows for North West England during July were classed as between normal and exceptionally high. Out of the 25 total sites one site was classed as exceptionally high, one site as notably high, 6 sites as above normal and 17 sites as normal.

Due to heavy rainfall within the catchment the highest flow for July (in terms of LTA) was observed in the Kirkby with 191% of the LTA and was classed as exceptionally high. The lowest was in St Michaels with 57% of the LTA and was classed as Normal.

4. Groundwater levels        

Groundwater levels across North West England for the end of July were classed between exceptionally high and normal. The sites that remained at the same classification were:

• Furness Abbey at exceptionally high
• Priors Heyes at exceptionally high
• Skirwith at exceptionally high
• Richmond Park at exceptionally high
• Brown Bank Lay By at notably high
• Bruntwood Hall at notably high
• Victoria Road at above normal
• Lea Lane at normal

The sites which changed classification were:

• Great Musgrave increased from normal to above normal
• Primrose hill decreased from above normal to normal

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

5. Reservoir stocks

Total reservoir storage for North West England decreased from 84% since the end of June to 79% at the end of July, higher than the average of 73% at this time of the year and higher than this time last year when the storage was at 72%.

At the end of July, reservoir storage (in terms of percentage) was highest at Crummock water which was 100% full. Storage was lowest at Longdendale at 73%. The combined storage at Haweswater and Thirlmere was 77% which is higher than the average of 61% and higher than this time last year when the storage was 60%.

Reservoirs kept low for maintenance work include:

• Torside
• Woodhead
• Anglezarke
• High Bullough
• Arley
• Worthington
• Dingle
• Jumbles
• Harlock
• Kitcliffe
• Piethorne
• Readycon Dean
• Ogden Lower
• Ogden Upper
• Barnacre North
• Barnacre South
• Alston No.2
• Cragg
• Ridegate

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 Team, hydrology.GMMYCH@environment-agency.gov.uk