Research and analysis

Midlands water situation: August 2025 summary

Updated 12 September 2025

Applies to England

• Publication for Northern Ireland
• Publication for Scotland
• Publication for Wales

1. Summary

Rainfall – In August, all Midlands hydrological catchments received less than 50% of their long term average (LTA) rainfall. The amount of rainfall received across the region ranged between notably low to exceptionally low rainfall amounts relative to the LTA. 

Soil moisture deficit – Soil moisture deficit (SMD) across the Midlands has increased in August from the previous month, meaning soils have become drier. By the end of the month, soils remained drier than usual for the time of year.

River flows – In August, the mean monthly flows were exceptionally low at nine sites, notably low at seven sites and below normal at four sites relative to their LTA.  The exceptionally low flows occurred in the middle and Lower Severn, Teme, Lugg, Wye, Frome (Glocs), Dove, Derwent and Torne catchments. No data is available for Wedderburn Bridge.

Groundwater levels – As of the end of August all of the Midlands groundwater sites recorded normal or higher groundwater levels compared to the LTA with the exception of Southards Lane which recoded a below normal level.

Reservoir stocks – By the end of August, all Midlands reservoirs had below average storage compared to the LTA, with Charnwood and Derwent reservoirs below 30% and 40% storage respectively.

2. Rainfall

In August, all Midlands hydrological catchments received less than 50% of their LTA rainfall. Six hydrological catchments received exceptionally low rainfall totals ranging from 20% to 34% of the LTA. These were Tame, Soar, Avon, the Upper Trent, Shropshire Plains, and Mid Severn.

The remaining 6 hydrological catchments, which were predominantly spread across at the north-eastern and south-western patches of the Midlands received notably low rainfall totals ranging from 24% to 44% of the LTA. These were the Lower Trent, Derwent, Dove, Welsh Mountains, Lower Wye and Lower Severn.

Over the last 3 months, 7 of the catchments received exceptionally low rainfall total ranging from 48% to 54% of their 3 month LTA. These areas of exceptionally low rainfall included most of the River Severn and upper to middle Trent.  A further 4 catchments received notably low rainfall totals, these occurred in the north-eastern Midlands catchments of Derwent, Dove, Lower Trent and Soar. The Welsh Mountains received below normal rainfall totals at 73% of 3 month LTA. Over the last 6 months, every single hydrological catchment in the Midlands received exceptionally low cumulative rainfall totals. This ranged from 41% to 58% of their 6 month LTA. With the exception of the Welsh Mountains, catchments in the Midlands received less than LTA over the last 6 months.

Looking at the last 12 months’ rainfall total combined, rainfall has been normal for the majority of the catchments in the Midlands. Four hydrological catchments recorded below normal cumulative rainfall totals between 81% and 87% of the 12 month LTA. These were the Welsh Mountains, Mid Severn, Dove and Derwent.

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

SMD across the Midlands in August has slightly increased since last month, meaning that soils have become drier. With the exception of the Mid Severn, all hydrological catchments recorded a SMD between 101mm to 130mm. The Mid Severn recorded a SMD value between 131mm and 160mm meaning soils were slightly drier than the other catchments in the Midlands.

By the end of August, SMD values were much larger than their respective LTA for the time of year, meaning soils are drier than expected for the time of year.

4. River flows

In August, 9 sites recorded exceptionally low monthly mean flows ranging from 12% to 47% of the LTA. These were Whatstandwell, Tenbury, Butts Bridge, Marston On Dove, Bewdley, Deerhurst, Redbrook, Auckley and Ebley Mill, with the majority in the western half of the Midlands. Seven sites recorded notably low monthly mean flows. These were North Muskham, Kegworth, Yoxall, Clifton Hall, Walcot, Llanyblodwel, and Great Bridgeford. Four more sites recorded below normal monthly mean flows. These were Worksop, Derby St Marys, Stareton and Evesham.

Wedderburn Bridge has been showing unreliable data from September 2024 onwards, therefore, data has been removed from this report. Due to current issues with recording at low flows affecting Deerhurst, data for Haw Bridge was used in place of Deerhurst.

5. Groundwater levels   

At the end of August, all of the Midlands groundwater sites except Southards Lane recorded normal or higher groundwater level bands compared to the LTA. Southards Lane recorded below normal groundwater levels. Rider Point, Four Crosses, Ram Hall, St Mary’s Church and Anthonys Cross recorded normal groundwater levels relative to the LTA. A further 2 sites, Weir Farm and Crossley Hill, received above normal groundwater levels. Coxmoor in the north-east recorded exceptionally high groundwater level at the end of August relative to the LTA.

Since July, there has been a general downward trend in groundwater levels for the sites reported.

6. Reservoir stocks

By the end of August, all of Midlands reservoirs had below average storage compared to the LTA. Charnwood reservoir was at 27.2% while Derwent reservoir ended the month at 38.9% storage. Clywedog, Vrynwy and Draycote reservoirs were hovering around their LTAs, at 60.6%, 74.2% and 78.1% storage levels respectively.

All reservoirs in the Midlands experienced a reduction in storage since July.

7. Environmental impact 

Both the West Midlands and East Midlands areas moved into drought incident status on 15 July 2025. We continue to work with water companies and other abstractors to manage water resources and take precautionary actions.

A number of low flow alleviation schemes are also active across the region.

8. 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. River Severn Regulation began on 9 May 2025 and as of the end of August, there have been 77 days of Severn Regulation so far.

9. River Wye operations

Following on from the previous month, River Wye Regulation continued throughout all of August. For all of August, storage in the Ellan Valley reservoirs was below the release control line. For all of August, the flows at Rebdrook gauging station were below the regulation threshold.

10. Water abstraction restrictions

As of 31 August there were 140 water abstraction licence restrictions in place across the Midlands affecting 600 licences in total. Please refer to the appendices for a full list of water abstraction licence restrictions.

Please refer to the full report for a full list of water abstraction licence restrictions.

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.