Research and analysis

Midlands water situation: November 2025 summary

Updated 11 December 2025

Applies to England

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

Rainfall - In November, 6 sites recorded exceptionally high rainfall totals and 6 recorded notably high rainfall totals compared to the long term average (LTA).

Soil moisture deficit - Soil moisture deficit (SMD) across the Midlands has decreased in November, meaning soils have become wetter than there LTA for the time of year.

River flows – In November, 4 sites in the midlands recorded normal rainfall totals compared the LTA, with all other sites above normal and higher.

Groundwater levels – As of the end of November, the majority of sites recorded above normal or higher groundwater levels compared to the LTA. However, Anthonys Cross recorded below normal groundwater levels.

Reservoir stocks – By the end of November, 2 reservoirs recorded average storage levels, 3 recorded below average storage levels and the rest recorded above average storage levels compared to the LTA.

1. Rainfall

In November, 6 of the Midlands hydrological catchments received exceptionally high amounts of rainfall compared to the LTA. These were largely situated in the east of the Midlands, which received between 174% and 238% of rainfall compared to their LTA. The other 6 catchments received notably high rainfall totals largely situated in the west of the Midlands, receiving between 159% to 192% of their LTA.

Over the last 3 months, 7 catchments received notably high rainfall totals compared to their LTA. These catchments received between 129% to 143% of rainfall compared to their LTA. Four catchments received exceptionally high rainfall totals compared to their LTA. Avon catchment received above normal rainfall total compared to its LTA.

Over the last 6 months, the majority of sites recorded normal rainfall totals compared to their LTA. These catchments received between 90% to 108% of their LTA. The Welsh Mountains in the north-west received above normal rainfall totals at 115% compared to their LTA. The Derwent catchment in the north-east received above normal rainfall totals at 109% compared to the LTA.

Over the past year, a spatial trend persisted, with catchments largely in the south receiving below normal rainfall totals compared to the LTA. Whereas catchments in the north of the Midlands received normal rainfall totals.

2. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

SMD across the Midlands in November has decreased since last month, meaning soils have become wetter. All of the hydrological catchments recorded SMD value of less than or equal to 10. The majority of catchments were wetter than their LTA recording a difference between -25mm to -6mm from their LTAs. Four catchments SMD values recorded a difference between -5 to 5mm from their LTAs. These were the Dove and Upper Trent, situated in the north of the Midlands; the Lower Wye situated in the south-west of the Midlands; and the Welsh Mountains situated in the north-west of the Midlands.

3. River flows

In November, 4 sites recorded normal monthly mean flows. These were Evesham, Walcot, Great Bridgeford and Yoxall. Four sites recorded notably high monthly mean flows, receiving between 148% to 197% of their LTA. Llanyblodwell in the north-west recorded exceptionally high monthly mean flows. The rest of the sites recorded above normal monthly mean flows ranging from 121% to 163% of the LTA.

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.

4. Groundwater levels   

At the end of November, 4 sites in the north of the Midlands recorded above normal groundwater levels compared to their LTA. These were Weir Farm, Coxmoor, Southards Lane and Crossley Hill. Rider Point recorded notably high groundwater levels compared to its LTA. Three sites recorded normal groundwater levels compared to their LTA. These were Four Crosses, Ram Hall and St Mary’s Church. Anthony’s Cross in the south recorded below normal groundwater levels compared to the LTA.

5. Reservoir stocks

By the end of November, five of the Midlands reservoirs had above average storage compared to the LTA. They ranged between 78% at Blithfield to 100% at Vyrnwy and Tittesworth. Three reservoirs had below average storage compared to the LTA. These were Charnwood, Dove, Carsington and Ogston. Storage levels for these reservoirs ranged from 54% at Dove to 63% at Carsington and Ogston. Two reservoirs had average storage compared to the LTA, these were Clywedog at 82% and Draycote at 73%.

6. Environmental impact 

Both the West Midlands and East Midlands moved into recovery incident status on 8 December 2025. We continue to work with water companies and other abstractors to manage water resources.

7. 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.

8. River Wye operations

Throughout November, flows at Redbrook were above the regulation threshold. Therefore, regulation releases were not in operation during November.

9. Water abstraction restrictions

As of 30 November 2025 there were 3 water abstraction licence restrictions in place across the Midlands affecting 4 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.