East Anglia water situation: August 2026 summary
Updated 14 September 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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1. Summary
East Anglia rainfall for August 2026 ranged from 44% to 106% of the long term average (LTA) for the month, with the wettest catchments towards the north-west of the area. Across East Anglia this was the fourth driest March to August period on record (1871 to 2026), receiving only 51% of the LTA. For more than half of the hydrological areas, this was either the driest or second driest 6 month period since records began in 1871. Soil moisture deficit (SMD) decreased slightly towards the end of the month in response to rainfall, although remains notably high for the time of year. River flows continued to recede in August, with all catchments responding to rainfall received towards the end of the month. Month mean flows were predominantly below normal or exceptionally low for the time of year. Groundwater levels fell in August, with the majority of report sites recording below normal to exceptionally low levels. Public water supply reservoirs within East Anglia ended August 2026 with levels ranging from 48% to 65% of full storage capacity.
2. Rainfall
An average of 41mm of rain fell across East Anglia in August, 68% of the LTA. The start of the month was a continuation of dry weather, with the majority of rainfall received between 26 to 29 August. The 29 August was the only day recording rainfall above 10mm. The highest rainfall totals were recorded towards the north-west of the area, with Central Area Fenland receiving 66mm across the month, 106% of the LTA. The lowest rainfall total was recorded in the Upper Bedford Ouse hydrological area, receiving only 44% of the historic LTA.
Over the past 6 months, all hydrological areas in East Anglia recorded exceptionally low rainfall. The East Anglia rainfall total for the 6 months covering meteorological spring and summer, from March 2026 to August 2026 was 149mm, which ranks as the fourth driest March to August period on record (1871 to 2026). For North West Norfolk and Wissey and North Norfolk this 6 month period was the driest on record. Five other East Anglia hydrological areas, Little Ouse and Lark, Broadlands, East Suffolk, North Essex and South Essex, recorded the second driest on record for this 6 month period from March 2026 to August 2026 (1871 to 2026). Over the past 12 months, East Anglia has received 90% of the LTA rainfall.
3. Soil moisture deficit
The SMD for East Anglia at the end of August 2026 was 121mm. The SMD decreased slightly following rainfall in the latter half of the month, although remains notably high for the time of year. Most hydrological areas in East Anglia recorded SMD levels between 71mm and 130mm, with the exception of South Essex which recorded an SMD level more than 160mm. The SMD was 6mm to 25mm greater than the LTA at the end of the month for the majority of hydrological areas.
4. River flows
Daily mean river flows continued to recede through August, with river flows responding towards the end of the month following rainfall. Monthly mean river flows varied across East Anglia during August, ranging between 3% and 80% of the LTA. Most flow monitoring sites in East Anglia reported either below normal or exceptionally low monthly mean flows in August 2026. The lowest flows were concentrated towards the centre of the area, with report sites on the Ely Ouse and its tributaries, such as the Wissey and Little Ouse, recording exceptionally low flows for the time of year. Most notably, the August 2026 month mean flow for the Ely Ouse at Denver was 3% of the LTA.
5. Groundwater levels
Groundwater levels continued to fall across all of East Anglia in August as a result of minimal rainfall. More than half of our groundwater sites for which data was available, are now recording below normal to exceptionally low levels for the time of year. Sites with normal levels are mostly found at the south of the chalk unit, and Bath Spring which is above normal for the time of year in the south-west. Both Hindolveston in the Norfolk Chalk and Rook Hall in the Suffolk Chalk recorded exceptionally low levels in August 2026.
6. Reservoir stocks
Reservoir storage has continued to fall through August, with all reservoir levels below their target curves for the time of year. Storage capacity ranged from 48% capacity at Hanningfield to 65% capacity at Grafham reservoir.
Author: Hydrology Team, hydrology-ean-and-lna@environment-agency.gov.uk
Contact Details: 03708 506 506
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.