Research and analysis

North West water situation: June 2024 summary

Updated 12 July 2024

Applies to England

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

1. Rainfall

The drier weather, particular in the latter half of June marks a significant departure from the generally wet, and unsettled weather of the past year. The first half of June saw some continuation of the wet weather observed in May, with indicator sites seeing most of their June totals falling from sporadic frontal showers during this period. High pressure systems then began to dominate during the second half of June, where on average, only 3 days saw rainfall above 1mm at indicator sites across the North West. 

As a whole, rainfall for north-west England was classed as normal for June, at 86% of the LTA. Cumbria and Lancashire (CLA) observed 94% of the LTA (classed as normal), while Greater Manchester, Merseyside, and Cheshire (GMC) observed lower totals at 70% of the LTA (classed as normal).

Rainfall totals were generally higher in CLA than in GMC, with the highest total found in the Kent hydrological area, which observed 102% of its LTA, classed as normal. The lowest total (68% of the LTA) was recorded in the Cheshire Rivers Group hydrological area, which was classed as below normal. All other hydrological areas were classed as normal.

Despite the lower rainfall totals, the 3-month cumulative rainfall totals still reflects the high rainfall totals seen in the past several months. With all hydrological areas within CLA being classed as exceptionally high, with the exception of the:

• Mersey and Irwell, and Cheshire Rivers Group, which were classed as notably high
• the Esk (Dumfries) which was classed as above normal

The 3-month period ending in June was also ranked as:

• third wettest for Cumbria
• fourth wettest for North West England
• sixth wettest for Lancashire

 

The 6-month cumulative rainfall period coincides with the first half of the year and sees almost all hydrological areas being classed as exceptionally high, with the exception of the Esk (Dumfries) hydrological area, which was classed as above normal.

The 6-month period ending in June was the wettest first half of the year since 1871 for 6 hydrological areas in CLA and notably also:

• north-west England at 753mm, breaking the previous record of 723mm in 1920
• Cumbria at 915mm, breaking the previous record of 895mm in 2002

The 12-month cumulative totals replicate the pattern observed in the 6-month cumulative rainfall totals, with almost all hydrological areas, except for the Esk (Dumfries) which was classed as above normal, being classed as exceptionally high.

The 12-month period ending in June was also the wettest since 1871 for all hydrological areas with the exception of the Esk (Dumfries) hydrological area, and notably for:

• north-west England at 1763mm, breaking the previous record of 1,572mm in 2020 by just over 190mm
• Cumbria at 2,080mm, breaking the previous record of 1,880mm in 2016 by 200mm
• Lancashire at 1,874mm, breaking the previous record of 1,671mm in 1981 by over 200mm
• GMC at 1,388mm, breaking the previous record of 1,204mm in 1931 by over 180mm
• the Kent hydrological area at 2,572mm, breaking the previous record of 2,210mm in 2016 by over 360mm
• the Douglas hydrological area at 1,522mm, breaking the previous record of 1,274mm in 2020 by just under 250mm
• the Wyre and Lune hydrological area at 2,057mm, breaking the previous record of 1,852mm in 2016 by over 200mm

2. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

Drier weather observed during the second half of June increased soil moisture deficits (SMD) across the North West compared to levels at the end of May. This is particularly the case for coastal areas of CLA.

SMD levels for the end of June across north-west England fell within the range of 17mm to 75mm. This is lower than expected for the time of year for almost all areas, with the exception of the southern parts of Cumbria where the SMD levels were higher than expected.

3. River flows

Monthly mean river flows decreased across all catchments in response to the reduction in rainfall compared to May. With river levels in most catchments much closer to what would be expected for the time of the year. Overall, 8 out of 25 sites were classed as above normal, while the remaining 17 sites were all classed as normal.

There were few spatial patterns to the mean river levels recorded in June, reflecting the sporadic nature of the rain that fell during the month. River flows were highest (in terms of percentage of the LTA) in the Ellen catchment at Bulgill (166% of the LTA, classed as above normal), and lowest at the Glaze catchment at Little Woolden Hall (79% of the LTA, classed as normal).

There were no notable peaks or lows in daily mean flow recorded during this period.

4. Groundwater levels   

Please beware we have now increased the number of groundwater indicator sites which we report from 6 to 10 sites in total. These new sites are, in alphabetical order:

• Furness Abbey, Furness (Groundwater Body), Permo-Triassic Sandstone
• Great Musgrave, Eden Valley & Carlisle Basin (Groundwater Body), Permo-Triassic Sandstone
• Primrose Hill, Fylde (Groundwater Body), Permo-Triassic Sandstone
• Victoria Road, West Lancashire Quaternary Sand and Gravel (Groundwater Body), Superficial Deposits

Groundwater levels across the North West at the end of June were classed between exceptionally high and normal. Groundwater levels decreased at Victoria Road, and at Great Musgrave from notably high to above normal, at Primrose Hill from above normal to normal. While groundwater levels at Bruntwood Hall increased from above normal to notably high.

All other groundwater levels remained at the same classification at:

• Brown Bank Lay-By, classed as notably high
• Furness Abbey, classed as exceptionally high
• Lea Lane, classed as normal
• Priors Heyes, classed as exceptionally high
• Richmond Park, classed as exceptionally high
• Skirwith, classed as exceptionally high

5. Reservoir storage

Total reservoir storage for north-west England decreased from 92% at the end of May to 84%, higher than the average of 78% at this time of the year, and higher than this time last year when total reservoir storage was at 70%.

At the end of June, reservoir storage (in terms of percentage) was highest at Crummock Water and Ennerdale Water, which were both at 100% full. Storage was lowest at Rivington (73%). The combined storage at Haweswater and Thirlmere was 85%, higher than the average of 68% at this time of year, and much higher than the storage level at this time last year which was 61%.

 

Reservoirs kept low for maintenance works include part of the:

• Longdendale system – Audenshaw No.1, Torside and Woodhead
• Rivington system – Anglezarke and High Bullough
• Worthington system – Arley and Worthington
• Bolton supply system – Dingle and Jumbles
• Poaka Beck system – Harlock
• Piethorne Valley system – Kitcliffe and Piethorne
• Ogden (Barley) system – Ogden Lower and Ogden Upper
• Barnacre Group system – Barnacre North and Barnacre South
• Longridge system – Alston No.2
• Dee (Celyn and Brenig) system – Llyn Celyn
• Coldwell system – Coldwell
• Cowpe system – Cragg
• Ridegate system – Ridegate

 

Author: Cumbria and Lancashire Hydrology, hydrology.CMBLNC@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 herein.