Research and analysis

Yorkshire water situation: July 2024 summary

Updated 14 August 2024

Applies to England

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

1. Rainfall

The monthly rainfall for July was within normal range for the majority of Yorkshire catchments, between 95% and 140% of the long term average (LTA). The exception to this was in the Rye and Esk catchments, which received higher rainfall totals and classified as above normal to notably high rainfall for July, 146% and 205% of the LTA respectively. This was due to the heavy rain that fell in a 24 hour period on day 9 and also on day 13 in the Esk and east Yorkshire coastal areas. The Met Office Had-UK data set from 1871 to present shows that it has been the seventh wettest January to July on record for Yorkshire.

After a moderately wet first 2 days, the remainder of the first week of July featured settled conditions across Yorkshire. A series of thundery events affected most Yorkshire catchments across days 8, 9 and 10. The highest of the rainfall totals were in the north east of Yorkshire on day 9, where totals of 33mm were measured which represented approximately 50% of the month’s LTA.

From day 10 to 14, small rainfall totals were recorded across Yorkshire, then another rainfall event occurred on day 15 in the Don and Rother catchments, where around 30% of the monthly total fell.

In the final fortnight from day 16 to 31 there were much more settled conditions across Yorkshire and if rain was measured they were small values and much more typical for July.

2. Soil moisture deficit

At the start of July the soil moisture deficit (SMD) for most of Yorkshire was classed as normal, and dry to the east of the Area. Soils became wetter during the first 2 weeks. This was most notable in the west of the area where this trend continued into week 3. Soils dried in the second half of them month by about 20mm of SMD per week, beginning in east and central Yorkshire. By the end of the month, there was a split where areas to the southeast were classified as dry and those to the north and west were normal. 

3. River flows

The monthly mean river flows ranged from normal to notably high and between 74% and 287% of the long term average (LTA) for July. There was a split in the catchment behaviour with the Pennine catchments to the west within normal range and those catchments either in the central band or to the east being much higher for July. This mainly reflected the rainfall distribution but also the ongoing influence of groundwater contributions in the Rye, Derwent and Hull catchments.

In the first week flows across most Yorkshire catchments were normal with slight variances to above normal range. In response to a rain event early in the second week, river flows increased in all Yorkshire catchments to notably or exceptionally high on days 9 and 10. In the Nidd, Rother, Derwent, Esk and Rye the flows remained raised into week 3, however elsewhere these had receded back to within normal range.

By the final week of July flows were within normal range for most Pennine-fed catchments, with the reservoir-influenced Nidd, and the Derwent, Esk and Rye to the east still within above normal range. By the last few days on the month only the Rother catchment was reporting flows below normal.

In the Hull catchment there continued to be a gradual decline in flows in the West Beck throughout the month caused by reducing groundwater spring flow from the Chalk. The flows in the West Beck still remained in the above normal range throughout the month.

4. Groundwater levels   

4.1 Magnesian Limestone

The groundwater level within the Magnesian Limestone at Brick House Farm continues to decrease but remains exceptionally high for the time of year.

4.2 Millstone Grit

The groundwater level has decreased within the Millstone Grit at Hill Top Farm and remains normal for the time of year. It should be noted that this observation borehole is used for water abstraction by means of a pump. Therefore, the groundwater level recorded here may be subject to the effects of this.

4.3 Sherwood Sandstone

The groundwater level in the Sherwood Sandstone decreased, Great Ouseburn remains exceptionally high.

4.4 Corallian Limestone

The groundwater level decreased within the Corallian Limestone at Sproxton but is now above normal for the time of year.

4.5 Chalk

The groundwater level decreased at both Wetwang (northern Yorkshire Wolds chalk) and Dalton Estate (central Yorkshire Wolds chalk). Wetwang and Dalton Estate are both above normal

5. Reservoir stocks

A small change of reservoir stocks occurred throughout the month with a decline of 6% from the start to month end. Reservoir stocks were approximately 4% more than the LTA for the time of year.

6. Environmental impact

By the end of July, 20 hands-off flows were in force and 19 abstractors had been warned that flows are low but were still able to abstract. Affected catchments included the Swale, Rye, Foulness and parts of the Aire and lower Derwent.

Author: Yorkshire Hydrology, 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.  

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