Midlands water situation report: April 2024 summary
Updated 15 May 2024
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/water-situation-local-area-reports/midlands-water-situation-report-april-2024-summary
1. Summary
Please see Section 7.3 of the main report for a map detailing the Midlands regional coverage of this report.
Rainfall - Four of the Midlands hydrological catchments received notably high rainfall totals relative to the long-term average (LTA). Six hydrological catchments received above normal rainfall totals. Two hydrological areas received normal rainfall totals relative to the LTA.
Soil moisture deficit - As of the end of April, the north-western and parts of the north-eastern Midlands recorded a soil moisture deficit (SMD) between 11mm to 40mm with the rest of the Midlands soils being saturated or at ‘field capacity’.
River flows - Eight sites recorded exceptionally high monthly mean flows compared to the LTA. Eight sites recorded notably high monthly mean flows and a further 5 sites recorded above normal flows compared to the LTA.
Groundwater levels - As of the end of April, 4 sites recorded exceptionally high groundwater level compared to the LTA. Two sites recorded above normal groundwater levels compared to the LTA. One site recorded normal groundwater levels compared to the LTA. One site had no data.
Reservoir stocks - As of the end of April, all of the Midlands reservoirs in this report recorded above average storage compared to the LTA. All of reservoirs are at or near full capacity.
2. Rainfall
During April, 4 of the Midlands hydrological catchments recorded notably high rainfall totals relative to the LTA. These areas received rainfall totals ranging from 143% to 156% of the LTA. A further 6 hydrological areas recorded above normal rainfall totals relative to the LTA. Two hydrological areas recorded normal rainfall relative to the LTA. These areas are Mid Severn and Lower Wye.
In the last 3 months, all hydrological areas in the Midlands recorded exceptionally high rainfall totals, ranging from 150% to 202% of the 3-month LTA.
Looking at the last 6 months, all of the Midlands hydrological areas recorded exceptionally high rainfall totals compared to the 6-month LTA. These areas received rainfall totals ranging from 139% to 163% of the LTA respectively.
Over the last 12 months, all hydrological catchments with the exception of the Lower Wye and Mid Severn recorded exceptionally high rainfall totals compared to the 12-month LTA. The Mid Severn hydrological catchment received 134% of the LTA and Lower Wye received 133% of the LTA.
3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge
As of the end of April, SMD has remained 10mm or less for the majority of the Midlands. Parts of the Midlands in the north-western and north-eastern areas recorded SMD totals of 11mm to 40mm. Soils in the eastern, southern and part of the western areas of the Midlands were slightly wetter than the LTA for April.
4. River flows
In April, 8 flow monitoring sites recorded exceptionally high monthly mean flows. These were located mainly in the western part of the Midlands ranging from 186% to 276% of the LTA. A further 8 sites recorded notably high monthly mean flows compared to the LTA . Five sites recorded above normal which were Auckley, Kegworth, North Muskham, Stareton and Worksop.
5. Groundwater levels
As of the end of April, groundwater monitoring stations are of normal levels or above. Four sites; Weir Farm, Rider Point, Coxmoor and Four Crosses recorded exceptionally high groundwater levels compared to the LTA. Southards Lane and Crossley Hill in the north of the Midlands recorded above normal groundwater levels compared to the LTA. Ram Hall recorded normal groundwater levels compared to the LTA. Anthonys Cross had no data.
6. Reservoir stocks
As of the end of April, all of the Midlands reservoirs in this report recorded storage levels above the LTA. Reservoir storage across the region ranged from 90% to 100%. Furthermore, all reservoirs are at or near full capacity.
7. River Severn operations
The River Severn is regulated to maintain a minimum flow at Bewdley gauging station. This ensures sufficient water flows along the river to support environmental and water supply requirements. Regulation is instigated when flows drop below a threshold. Regulation has not yet been instigated for 2024.
8. River Wye operations
Throughout April, Elan storage was above the release control line up until the 26th April, after which point storage has fallen below the release control line. Flows at Redbrook were above the regulation threshold throughout April.
9. Water abstraction restrictions
As of 8 May 2024 there are 2 water abstraction licence restrictions in place across the Midlands affecting 1 licence in total.
Author: Midlands Hydrology, midlandshydrology@environment-agency.gov.uk
Contact details: 03708 506 506
Disclaimer: 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.