Devon and Cornwall water situation: June 2026 summary
Updated 14 July 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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Devon and Cornwall received 93mm of rain during June. This is 121% of the June long term average (LTA), which is above normal for the time of year. Soil moisture deficit (SMD) remained higher (drier) than the LTA throughout June. June monthly mean flows ranged from below normal to above normal across the area. Groundwater levels ended the month between normal and exceptionally high for the time of year. Total reservoir storage across Devon and Cornwall on 28 June was 78%, with Wimbleball, Colliford and Roadford at 69%, 75% and 85% respectively.
1. Rainfall
Devon and Cornwall received 93mm of rain during June (121% of the June LTA), which is above normal for the time of year. More than two-thirds of the month’s rainfall fell in the first 7 days of the month with much lighter and less frequent rain thereafter.
Most hydrological areas recorded above normal rainfall for the time of year. However, the Otter, Sid, Axe and Lim, Exe and Teign and Torbay hydrological areas in the east recorded normal rainfall.
Cumulative rainfall for the last 3 months was normal across most of the area. The Otter, Sid, Axe and Lim, Exe and Teign and Torbay hydrological areas recorded below normal rainfall. This reflects the slightly drier conditions observed in eastern parts of Devon and Cornwall during June. In contrast, rainfall over the last 6 to 12 months was exceptionally high across Cornwall and above normal to exceptionally high across Devon.
2. Soil moisture deficit
SMD in Devon and Cornwall decreased (soils became wetter) during the first 2 weeks of June, coinciding with the wettest period of the month. There was a notable increase (soils became drier) during the remainder of the month.
On 30 June, SMD was between 71mm and 100mm across most of the area. SMD in the Tamar hydrological area was between 41mm and 70mm. Across the Otter, Sid, Axe and Lim and Exe hydrological areas, SMD was between 101mm and 130mm. SMD across Devon and Cornwall was higher (drier) than the LTA. The Otter, Sid, Axe and Lim, Teign and Torbay, and Avon, Dart and Erme hydrological areas were 51mm and 75mm drier than the LTA. Elsewhere across the area, the difference from the LTA ranged from 6mm to 50mm drier.
3. River flows
June monthly mean flows were normal across most of the area. Gwills on the River Gannel and St Erth on the River Hayle recorded below normal flows. River flows at Bellever on the River Dart were above normal.
Daily mean flows peaked at the start of the month in response to rainfall before decreasing at all sites. Daily mean flows on 30 June were below normal or normal across most sites, except St Erth on the River Hayle which recorded notably low flows.
Due to data accuracy concerns, Chudleigh Bridge has not been reported on this month.
4. Groundwater levels
On 30 June, groundwater levels were classed as follows:
- normal at Coleford Production (monitoring the Permian Breccias and Sandstones), Bussels No7A (monitoring the Dawlish sandstone) and Woodleys No1 (monitoring the Otterton Sandstone Formation)
- above normal at Woodbury Common No2 (monitoring the Budleigh Salterton Pebble Beds)
- notably high at Branscombe Lane (monitoring the Dawlish Sandstone)
- exceptionally high at Whitlands (monitoring the Upper Greensand)
Groundwater levels at all sites are in their seasonal recession. The faster-responding, lower aquifer storage sites such as Bussels No7A are receding more rapidly than the sites whose aquifers have higher storage, such as Whitlands.
Due to data accuracy concerns, Winnards Perch has not been reported on this month.
5. Reservoir stocks
Total reservoir storage was 78% on 28 June, which is an overall decrease of 6% since the end of May. This is higher than storage at the end of June 2022 (the most recent drought year), which was 68%. On 28 June, storage at Wimbleball, Colliford and Roadford was 69%, 75% and 85% respectively, compared to 66%, 58% and 76% at the same time in 2022.
Author: Devon and Cornwall Hydrology, hydrology.dandc@environment-agency.gov.uk
All data are provisional and maybe subject to revision. The views expressed in this document are not necessarily the views of the Environment Agency. Its officers, servants, or agents accept no liability for loss or damage arising from the interpretation or use of the information, or reliance upon views contained in this report.