Research and analysis

Midlands water situation: May 2026 summary

Updated 11 June 2026

Applies to England

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

Rainfall – In May, all but one catchment recorded normal rainfall totals compared to their May long term average (LTA). The Avon catchment recorded below normal rainfall totals for this time of year.

Soil moisture deficit – Soil moisture deficits (SMD) in May recorded higher than average across all Midlands catchments. This means soils were drier than average. Most catchments increased their SMD compared to April.

River flows – The majority of sites recorded below normal flows in May. Seven sites recorded normal, and 2 sites recorded notably low flows for this time of year. All sites recorded below 100% of their LTA.

Groundwater levels - Groundwater sites in May ranged from exceptionally high groundwater levels to normal groundwater levels. The most common groundwater level banding in May was notably high.

Reservoir stocks – Reservoir storage levels across the Midlands ranged from 73% to 99% by the end of May.

1. Rainfall

In May, all but one catchment recorded normal rainfall totals compared to their May LTA. These ranged from 74% to 100% of their LTAs. The Avon catchment was the exception, recording below normal rainfall totals compared to its LTA at 64%.

Over the last 3 months, most catchments recorded notably low rainfall totals compared to the 3-month LTA. The Upper Trent and Shropshire Plains recorded below normal rainfall totals, and the Derwent, Dove and Welsh Mountains recorded normal rainfall totals. These are all compared to the 3-month March to May LTAs.

Over the past 6 months, most catchments recorded notably high rainfall totals. Four of the remaining catchments, the Lower Severn, Shropshire Plains, Mid Severn and the Lower Wye all recorded above normal rainfall totals. The Welsh Mountains recorded normal rainfall totals. These are all compared to their 6-month December to May LTAs.

Over the past year, most catchments recorded above normal rainfall totals. The exceptions were the Shropshire Plains, Mid Severn, the Soar and the Avon catchments, all recording normal rainfall totals compared to their 1-year LTAs.

2. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

In May, SMD generally has increased across most areas in the Midlands since April. Most sites are recording between 71mm and 10mm of SMD. The exceptions to this are the Welsh Mountains, the Mid Severn, and the Lower Wye. These all recorded between 41mm and 70mm of SMD. This means that soils have generally gotten drier over May. For the majority of areas, soils were recording a 26mm to 50mm difference in SMD compared to the LTA. Three areas, the Welsh Mountains, Lower Wye, and Lower Severn recorded a 6mm to 25mm difference compared to the LTA. Overall, this shows soils are drier compared to the average for this time of year.

3. River flows

In May, most sites recorded below normal flows for this time of year. Seven additional sites recorded normal flows compared to the May LTA. Two sites, Tenbury and Butts Bridge in the west, both recorded notably low flows for this time of year. Overall, the flows in the Midlands ranged from 39% to 83% of their LTA.

Deerhurst gauging station is currently down, and the data has been substituted with flows from the nearby gauging station Haw Bridge. Wedderburn Bridge has been showing unreliable data from September 2024 onwards; therefore, its data has been removed from this report.

4. Groundwater levels   

At the end of May, all of the Midlands groundwater sites recorded normal or higher groundwater levels compared to the LTA. Coxmoor in the north-east recorded exceptionally high groundwater levels at the end of May relative to its LTA. Anthonys Cross, Four Crosses, St Mary’s Church and Weir Farm all recorded notably high groundwater levels relative to the LTA. A further 3 sites, Ram Hall, Riders Point and Southards Lane recorded normal groundwater levels.

Out of all reported groundwater sites, the majority of sites had a slight decrease in groundwater levels since April. The only exception was Coxmoor and Crossley Hill.

5. Reservoir stocks

All reservoirs had storage between 73% and 99% by the end of May. Six reservoirs are at below average storage for this time of year. Two sites are at average storage, and the remaining 2 sites are at above average storage for this time of year.

Most reservoirs had storage levels decrease compared to April. Storage at Clywedog and Vyrnwy remained at similar levels to the previous month end, while the Dove reservoir had an increased storage level compared to April.

6. 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 May.

7. River Wye operations

In May 2026, regulation releases were in operation. These occurred from 14 May to 16 May, and then from 28 May, continuing through to the end of May.

8. Water abstraction restrictions

As of 31 May there are 33 water abstraction licence restrictions in place across the Midlands affecting 67 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.