Research and analysis

Midlands water situation: February 2026 summary

Updated 12 March 2026

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

Rainfall - In February, the majority of Midlands catchments received exceptionally high rainfall totals relative to the long term average (LTA).

Soil moisture deficit – In February, the soil moisture deficit (SMD) across the Midlands remained lower than the LTA, meaning that soils are wetter than the LTA. Soils have remained saturated and are close to field capacity.

River flows – In February, all sites recorded above normal or higher monthly mean flows relative to the LTA. The vast majority of sites recorded exceptionally high monthly mean flows.

Groundwater levels – By the end of February, all sites recorded above normal or higher groundwater levels compared to the LTA.

Reservoir stocks – By the end of February, the majority of the Midlands reservoirs had above average storage compared to the LTA with 6 reservoirs full.

2. Rainfall

In February, the Midlands region as a whole recorded the fourth wettest February over the past 156 years. The majority of catchments, 8 in total, received exceptionally high rainfall totals compared to their February LTA. These were all over 200% of their LTA. The 4 remaining catchments, the Derwent, Dove, Welsh Mountains and Lower Wye, received notably high rainfall totals compared to their LTA.

Over the past 3 months, again the majority of catchments received exceptionally high rainfall totals compared to their 3-month LTA. The Tame catchment in particular had the wettest December to February period since records began in 1872. Only one catchment did not reach this category, which was the Welsh Mountains, instead recording above normal rainfall totals compared to its 3-month LTA.

Over the past 6 months, all 12 catchments received exceptionally high rainfall totals compared to their 6-month LTA. The Tame catchment again had the wettest September to February period since records began.

Over the past year, 5 catchments received above normal rainfall totals compared to the one-year LTA. These were the Lower Trent, Derwent, Dove, Tame and Welsh Mountains. The remaining 7 catchments recorded normal rainfall totals compared to their one-year LTA.

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

SMD has remained the same in February since last month, remaining below 10mm across the Midlands. Soils have remained saturated and close to field capacity following the wet conditions this month. Soils in the majority of the Midlands catchments had SMD values as expected for the time of year. The exception was the Lower Trent catchment which had wetter than average soils for February.

4. River flows

In February, the majority of sites recorded exceptionally high monthly mean flows ranging from 188% to 314% of their LTA. Three sites recorded notably high monthly mean flows:

• Bewdley
• Great Bridgeford
• Redbrook

Two sites, Llanyblodwel and Whatstandwell, recorded above normal monthly mean flows.

Wedderburn Bridge has been showing unreliable data from September 2024 onwards; therefore data has been removed from this report.

5. Groundwater levels   

By the end of February, 4 sites in the Midlands recorded notably high groundwater levels compared to their LTA. These were Weir Farm, Anthony’s Cross, Four Crosses and Southards Lane. Ram Hall and St Mary’s Church recorded exceptionally high groundwater levels compared to their LTA. The remaining 2 sites recorded above normal groundwater levels compared to their LTA. These were Coxmoor and Crossley Hill.

Riders Point recorded no data for much of February and therefore has been excluded from this month’s report.

6. Reservoir stocks

By the end of February, 8 of the Midlands reservoirs had above average storage compared to the LTA. These reservoirs ranged from 93% to 100% full. Six of these were full and spilling. Carsington and Ogston recorded average storage for February at 92% capacity. The only reservoir to be below the average storage compared to the LTA was the Dove reservoirs at 68% capacity.

Reservoir storage either increased or remained the same since last month for all the Midlands reservoirs. Those which remained the same, Vyrnwy, Derwent, Tittesworth, Blithfield, Charnwood and Elan, remained at full capacity.

7. Environmental impact 

The East Midlands moved into normal incident status on the 6 February 2026. The West Midlands moved into normal incident status on 10 February 2026. These are both moved from the previous drought recovery incident status. We continue to work with water companies and other abstractors to manage water resources.

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 was not instigated in February.

9. River Wye operations

Throughout February, flows at Redbrook were above the regulation threshold and storage at Elan reservoirs was above the release control line. Therefore, regulation releases were not in operation during February.

10. Water abstraction restrictions

As of 28 February 2026, there was one water abstraction licence restriction in place across the Midlands affecting 2 licences in total.

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.