Research and analysis

Midlands water situation: July 2025 summary

Updated 12 August 2025

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

Rainfall - In July, all Midlands hydrological catchments received less than 100% of their long term average (LTA) rainfall. The amount of rainfall received varied across the region, ranging between normal and below normal rainfall amounts relative to the LTA. The driest areas were in the west and the wettest in the east.

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

River flows - In July, 5 sites recorded exceptional low, 5 sites recorded notably low, 5 sites recorded below normal and 4 sites recorded normal monthly mean flows relative to the LTA. No data is available for Deerhurst and Wedderburn Bridge.

Groundwater levels - As of the end of July, all of the Midlands groundwater sites recorded normal or higher groundwater levels compared to the LTA. The majority of sites had a decrease in groundwater levels since June.

Reservoir stocks - By the end of July, most Midlands reservoirs had below average storage compared to the LTA, with Charnwood and Derwent reservoirs below 50% storage.

2. Rainfall

In July, all Midlands hydrological catchments received less than 100% of their LTA rainfall. Seven hydrological catchments located largely in the eastern half of the Midlands received normal rainfall totals ranging from 80% to 97% of the LTA. These were the Upper Trent, Dove, Derwent, Lower Trent, Tame, Soar and Avon catchments. Five hydrological catchments in the western half of the Midlands received below normal rainfall totals ranging from 48% to 65% of the LTA. These were the Welsh Mountains, Shropshire Plains, Mid Severn, Lower Wye and Lower Severn.

Over the last 3 months, only the Welsh Mountains received normal rainfall totals relative to the 3 month LTA. Four north-eastern hydrological catchments received below normal rainfall totals relative to the 3 month LTA. Four more received notably low totals relative to the 3 month LTA. Three catchments recorded exceptionally low rainfall totals, these were the Mid Severn, Lower Wye and Lower Severn, ranging from 49% to 55% of their 3 month LTA.

Over the last 6 months, every single hydrological catchment in the Midlands received exceptionally low cumulative rainfall totals, ranging from 52% to 60% of their 6 month LTA. The 6 month cumulative rainfall totals for the Midlands region as a whole were ranked as the second driest since 1871.

Looking at the last 12 months’ rainfall total combined, rainfall has been normal for the majority of the catchments in the Midlands. Three hydrological catchments recorded below normal cumulative rainfall totals, being the Welsh Mountains, Dove and Derwent, at between 83% and 87% of the 12 month LTA.

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

SMD across the Midlands in July has slightly increased since last month, meaning that soils have become drier. With the exception of the Welsh Mountains, Mid Severn and the Lower Wye, all hydrological catchments recorded a SMD between 101mm to 130mm. The Welsh Mountains recorded a SMD value between 71mm to 100mm meaning soils were slightly wetter than the other catchments in the Midlands. The Mid Severn and Lower Wye recorded a SMD value between 131mm and 160mm meaning soils were slightly drier than the other catchments in the Midlands.

By the end of July, 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 July, 5 sites recorded exceptionally low monthly mean flows ranging from 16% to 50% of the LTA. These were Whatstandwell, Tenbury, Butts Bridge, Redbrook and Ebley Mill, with all but Whatstandwell being in the western half of the Midlands. Five sites recorded notably low monthly mean flows. These were Auckly, Derby St Marys, Marston On Dove, Great Bridgeford and Bewdley. Five more sites recorded below normal monthly mean flows. These were North Muskham, Kegworth, Yoxall, Clifton Hall and Walcot. The remaining 4 sites recorded normal monthly mean flows. These were Worksop, Llanyblodwel, Stareton and Evesham.

Wedderburn Bridge has been showing unreliable data from September 2024 onwards, therefore, data has been removed from this report. No data is available for Deerhurst due to current issues regarding recording at low flows.

5. Groundwater levels   

At the end of July, all of the Midlands groundwater sites recorded normal or higher groundwater levels compared to the LTA. Southards Land, 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 received notably high groundwater levels at the end of July relative to the LTA.

Out of all reported groundwater sites, the majority of sites had a decrease in groundwater levels since June. The only exception was Southards Lane which recorded an increase in groundwater levels.

6. Reservoir stocks

By the end of July, the majority of Midlands reservoirs had below average storage compared to the LTA. Charnwood and Derwent reservoirs had below 50% storage by the end of July, whereas Clywedog, Vrynwy and Draycote reservoirs were hovering around their LTAs, at 83.8%, 84.6% and 83.7% storage levels respectively.

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

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 to ensure the needs of water users and the environment are met.

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

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 July, there have been 46 days of Severn Regulation so far.

9. River Wye operations

Following on from the previous month, River Wye Regulation continued throughout all of July.

For all of July, storage in the Ellan Valley reservoirs was below the release control line. For all of July, the flows at Rebdrook gauging station were below the regulation threshold.

10. Water abstraction restrictions

As of 31 July there were 110 water abstraction licence restrictions in place across the Midlands affecting 434 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.