Solent and South Downs water situation report: October 2024 summary
Updated 13 November 2024
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2024
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1. Summary
Solent and South Downs (SSD) had average rainfall in October, receiving 121% (104mm) of the long term average (LTA) rainfall (85mm). Monthly mean river flows across SSD ranged from above normal to exceptionally high. End of month groundwater levels ranged from normal to exceptionally high. Soils across SSD ended the month much wetter than the average for October. End of month reservoir stocks at Ardingly Reservoir (Ouse) were above average, and at Arlington Reservoir (Cuckmere) were below average.
2. Rainfall
SSD had average rainfall in October, receiving 121% (104mm) of the LTA (85mm). The Test Chalk areal unit in the west of SSD received the highest rainfall with 144% (108mm) of LTA. The Ouse areal unit received the lowest rainfall with 111% (99mm) of LTA. All units showed normal rainfall.
The highest daily rainfall totals for the month were recorded on 8 October:
- 34mm was recorded at Angmering RG (West Sussex Coast)
- 33mm at Vines Cross TBR (Cuckmere)
- 33mm at Poverty Bottom RG (East Sussex Chalk)
Half of the rainfall in October fell between the 7 and 14 October. There were 10 completely dry days during October.
This October was not a notable month for rainfall. Instead, rainfall for the 3 month period August to October was:
- the third wettest for Test Chalk unit
- ninth wettest for Ouse and Pevensey Levels units.
SSD had the wettest January to October (8 months) period on record. The West Sussex Chalk, East Sussex Chalk, Ouse and Cuckmere units also had the wettest January to October. The remaining areal units all had the second wettest 8 month period, apart from the Arun which had the third wettest. All these statistics are based on records going back to 1871.
3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge
Soils across SSD ended the month a lot wetter (2mm) than the average for October (52mm).
4. River flows
Monthly mean river flows across SSD ranged from normal to exceptionally high.
Flows were normal on the:
- River Wallington at North Fareham
- River Rother at Iping Mill
Flows were above normal on the:
- River Arun at Alfoldean
- River Ouse at Goldbridge
- River Lymington at Brockenhurst
- River Meon at Mislingford
Flows were notably high on the:
- River Adur at Sakeham
- River Medina at Blackwater
Flows were exceptionally high on the:
- River Test at Broadlands
- River Test at Chilbolton
- River Itchen at Allbrook and Highbridge
- River Cuckmere at Cowbeech
The monthly mean flows for October for the River Test were the highest on record at Chilbolton (1989), and the fourth highest at Broadlands (1958). Flows for Allbrook and Highbridge (Itchen) were the third highest on record for October since 1959.
5. Groundwater levels
End of month groundwater levels for October ranged from normal to exceptionally high.
Groundwater levels were normal at:
- Beeding Hill (West Sussex Chalk)
- Chilgrove (West Sussex Chalk)
- Harting Common (Western Rother Greensand)
Groundwater levels were above normal at:
- Carisbrooke Castle (Isle of Wight)
- Catherington (East Hampshire Chalk)
Groundwater levels were notably high at:
- Houndean Bottom (East Sussex Chalk)
- Cornish Farm (East Sussex Chalk)
- West Meon (East Hampshire Chalk)
Groundwater levels were exceptionally high at:
- Clanville Gate (Test Chalk)
- Lopcombe Corner (Test Chalk)
- Preston Candover (East Hampshire Chalk)
- Youngwoods Copse (Isle of Wight)
Groundwater levels for October were the highest on record at Youngwoods Copse (1978), Preston Candover (1975) and Clanville Gate (1966). Lopcombe Corner recorded the second highest October groundwater level on record since 1963. West Meon Hut and Cornish Farm recorded their fourth highest levels for the month since 1986 and 1981 respectively.
6. Reservoir stocks
End of month reservoir stock was above average at Ardingly Reservoir (Ouse) with 83.3% of total capacity (LTA 70%). At Arlington Reservoir (Cuckmere) reservoir stocks ended below average with 47.2% of total capacity (LTA 61.9%).
7. Environmental impact
During September there were a total of 4 licence restrictions in force, 3 cessations and one reduced abstraction rates.
The cessations were in force on the River Meon (East Hampshire) and on the Walkford Brook (New Forest). The reduce abstraction rate was in force on the River Meon (East Hampshire).
During September there were 2 Flood Warning in Sussex and one in Hampshire all on October 9. There were also 10 Flood Alerts issued, 9 in Sussex and one in the Hampshire and the Isle of Wight area.
Author: HydrologySSD@environment-agency.gov.uk
Contact Details: 03708 506506
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.