Research and analysis

Midlands water situation: January 2026 summary

Updated 17 February 2026

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

Please see Section 7.3 of the main report for a map detailing the Midlands regional coverage of this report.

Rainfall – In January, the majority of the Midlands catchments received notably high rainfall totals relative to the long term average (LTA).

Soil moisture deficit – In January, soil moisture deficit (SMD) across the Midlands remained the same since last month. Soils have remained saturated and at field capacity.

River flows – In January, all sites recorded normal or above monthly mean flows relative to the LTA with Worksop recording exceptionally high monthly mean flows.

Groundwater levels – By the end of January, all sites recorded normal or higher groundwater levels compared to the LTA. Rider Point continued to record exceptionally high groundwater levels.

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

2. Rainfall

January has continued being a wet month with all catchments in the Midlands receiving more than 110% of their LTA rainfall totals. The Tame hydrological catchment was the only catchment to have received exceptionally high rainfall totals of 181% of the LTA. Nine catchments received notably high rainfall totals ranging from 155% to 185% of the LTA. The remaining 2 catchments, Dove and Welsh Mountains, received above normal and normal rainfall totals, respectively.

Over the past 3 months, the majority of the Midlands catchments received exceptionally high rainfall totals relative to their 3 month LTA. This reflects the cumulative impacts of multiple named storms, each of which brought intense rainfall events across the Midlands. In particular, the Lower Trent catchment received the highest November to January cumulative rainfall relative to the 3 month LTA. This makes it the wettest November to January period since records began. Several hydrological catchments also ranked within their top 10 wettest November to January periods since records began.

Over the past 6 months, all catchments received more than 110% of their 6 month LTA meaning that on average, conditions have been wet. The only catchment that received exceptionally high rainfall totals over the last 6 months was the Derwent. Seven catchments received notably high rainfall totals relative to the 6 month LTA. The remaining 4 catchments received above normal rainfall totals over the last 6 months. These were Welsh Mountains, Mid Severn, Avon and Soar hydrological catchments.

Over the past year, all catchments received normal rainfall totals relative to their 12 month LTA.

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

SMD across the Midlands in January has remained the same since last month. Soils have remained saturated and at 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 exceptions were the Lower Trent and Soar catchments which had wetter than average soils for the time of the year.

4. River flows

In January, Worksop recorded exceptionally high monthly mean flows of 196% relative to the LTA. Five sites recorded notably high monthly mean flows ranging from 148% to 188% of their LTA. These were Walcot, Clifton Hall, Tenbury, Butts Bridge and Evesham. Nine sites recorded above normal monthly mean flows relative to their LTA. The remaining 5 sites recorded normal monthly mean flows ranging from 103% to 126% of their LTA. These were Whatstandwell, Great Bridgeford, Bewdley, Llanyblodwel and Redbrook.

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 January, 4 sites in the Midlands recorded above normal groundwater levels compared to their LTA. These were Weir Farm, Anthony’s Cross, Coxmoor and Crossley Hill. As with last month, Rider Point recorded exceptionally high groundwater levels compared to its LTA. Southards Lane and St Mary’s Church recorded notably high groundwater levels compared to their LTA. The remaining 2 sites recorded normal groundwater levels compared to their LTA. These were Four Crosses and Ram Hall.

6. Reservoir stocks

By the end of January, 7 of the Midlands reservoirs had above average storage compared to the LTA. With the exception of Draycote reservoir, all of these were full and spilling. The remaining 3 reservoirs either recorded average or below average storage compared to the LTA. These were Clywedog at 87%, Carsington and Ogston at 86% and Dove at 62% of their LTAs.

Reservoir storage increased since last month for the majority of the Midlands reservoirs. The exceptions were the Dove reservoir which decreased and Tittesworth and Blithfield which remained at 100%.

7. Environmental impact 

Both the West Midlands and East Midlands moved into drought recovery incident status on 8 December 2025. 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 January.

9. River Wye operations

Throughout January, 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 January.

10. Water abstraction restrictions

As of 31 January 2026, there is 1 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.