East Anglia water situation: April 2025 summary
Updated 14 May 2025
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2025
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1. Summary
April rainfall across East Anglia ranged from 30% to 70% of the long term average (LTA) for the month. With a dry April following an exceptionally dry March, the soil moisture deficit for East Anglia increased to 66mm, which is considered notably high for the time of year. With very little effective rainfall, river flow site hydrographs could be described as typically displaying a steady base flow recession from March 2025 onward. Groundwater levels at all sites for which data was available have shown receding levels through March and April, although levels at the majority of report sites remain normal for the time of year. All public water supply reservoirs are above or approximately in line with their respective normal operating curves.
2. Rainfall
April 2025 rainfall across East Anglia ranged from 30% to 70% of the LTA for the month. Southern and western catchments were typically slightly wetter than the catchments to the north and east. The East Anglia area averaged rainfall for April 2025 was 22mm. This total is approximately 54% of the 1991 to 2020 LTA for April. The combined East Anglia rainfall for March and April 2025 was 28mm, which is the fifth driest March to April rainfall total for East Anglia based on records going back to 1871.
3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge
The exceptionally low spring rainfall to date has seen the soil moisture deficit (SMD) for East Anglia increase to 66mm, which is classified as notably high for the time of year. There is little variation in SMD values across the area, with the majority of East Anglian catchments having SMD values in the range of 64mm to 74mm.
4. River flows
All river gauging stations included within the East Anglia water situation report recorded below average month mean flows for April 2025. River flows ranged between 25% to 99% of the LTA, with the majority of report sites recording normal to below normal flows for the time of year. The lower flows were typically towards the centre and east of the area, reflecting the distribution of rainfall across the month.
5. Groundwater levels
Groundwater levels at all sites for which data was available have shown receding levels through March and April. The dry start to spring has resulted in a truncated recharge season, although groundwater levels at the majority of report sites remain normal for the time of year.
6. Reservoir stocks
By the end of April 2025, Abberton, Hanningfield, Grafham and Alton all held water in excess of their respective normal operating curves. Ardleigh’s stored volume was just below the normal operating curve, but still equivalent to 95% of the full capacity.
7. Forward look
7.1 Probabilistic ensemble projections for river flows at key sites
The river flow projections indicate an approximate 50% or higher probability of normal or higher flows by June 2025 at all forecast sites. For September 2025, flow projections indicate an approximate 65% or higher probability of normal or higher flows at all forecast sites.
7.2 Probabilistic ensemble projections for groundwater levels in key aquifers
With groundwater levels typically being slower to change than river levels, there is a high likelihood of continued normal or higher groundwater levels by the end of September 2025 for most forecast sites. As the projections go further into the future, the influence of current conditions reduces, although there remains a high likelihood of normal or higher groundwater conditions at all forecast sites by March 2026.
Author: Hydrology Team, hydrology-ean-and-lna@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.