Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire water situation: April 2026 summary
Updated 13 May 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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1. Summary
April 2026 was a significantly dry month and across Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire (LNA) just 6mm of rainfall was recorded, the sixth driest on record. The lack of any significant rainfall had a large impact on the soil moisture deficit (SMD) across the area, increasing to 66.5mm. River flows, which continued to drop and all indicator sites recorded normal or below normal flows, and groundwater levels which reduced at all 10 indicator sites compared to March 2026 levels. Reservoir stocks remain close to their respective normal operating curve at all sites, although we are beginning to see drawdown in some of those stocks.
2. Rainfall
Across LNA, April 2026 recorded an average rainfall of just 6mm, equivalent to 14% of the long term average (LTA). Through the 6 hydrological areas, rainfall totals were the second lowest on record for an April in Steeping Great Eau and Long, the fourth lowest in South Forty Foot and Hobhole and fifth lowest in the Upper Welland and Nene. Four of the six hydrological areas experienced exceptionally low rainfall totals, 8% to 15% LTA, while the Louth Grimsby and Ancholme, 19%, and Witham to Chapel Hill. 18%, experienced notably low rainfall totals.
Despite the lack of rain in April, a wet February meant that rainfall levels have been normal over the last 3 months, ranging from 90% to 105% of the LTA across the area, while stretching the data back to the previous 6 months LNA still experienced the sixth wettest November to April on record. The Louth Grimsby and Ancholme area experienced the second wettest November to April on record, 148% of the LTA, and the 5 other hydrological areas all recorded top 10 rainfall totals for a November to April, in their respective areas.
Over the previous 12 months, rainfall across LNA has been 104% of the LTA and 4 of the 6 hydrological areas experienced normal rainfall levels, 98% to 102% of the LTA, while the Louth Grimsby and Ancholme and Witham to Chapel Hill had above normal rainfall totals, 112% and 110% of the LTA, respectively.
3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge
The lack of rainfall through April 2026 had a significant impact on SMD. The SMD across LNA on 1 April was 29.4mm, this had increased by 37.1mm to 66.5mm by the last week of April. The largest deficits of the 6 hydrological areas of LNA were recorded in South Forty Foot and Hobhole and the Lower Welland and Nene. Since the middle of March (3.9mm on 17 March 2026), the SMD across LNA has increased by 62.6mm, highlighting the drop in rainfall volume over the previous 2 months. The increase in the SMD means 5 of the 6 hydrological areas have an SMD 26mm to 50mm greater than expected for this time of year , while Louth Grimsby and Ancholme has an SMD 6mm to 25mm greater than expected.
4. River flows
Of the 11 indicator sites for monthly mean river flows, 10 recorded normal flows between 34% and 117% of their LTAs, while Barrowden and Tixover was below normal at 32% LTA. With no significant rainfall events through April, flows steadily dropped through the month and this resulted in almost all sites dropping at least one flow category. March 2026 had ended with 4 sites categorised as notably high, 6 above normal and just 2 normal, highlighting the impact that the lack of rainfall across Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire has had on river flows across the area through April 2026. Gauging issues at Rase Bishopbridge on the River Rase has meant there is no available data at this site for April 2026.
5. Groundwater levels
Groundwater levels continued to drop through April 2026, however the extremely wet winter has meant levels remain healthy for the time of year. Five of the ten indicator sites had groundwater levels categorised as above normal, and two, Aslackby and Grainsby, were notably high, for April. Only one site, Grange de Lings, recorded a groundwater level below normal by the end of April 2026.
6. Reservoir stocks
All 5 reservoirs had healthy stocks by the end of April 2026, close to their normal operating curves. Reservoir levels ranged from 93% to 98% full, however drawdown of stocks was beginning towards the end of the month at some sites.
Author: Pan 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
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