Research and analysis

Midlands water situation report: March 2024 summary

Updated 15 April 2024

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

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

Rainfall - During March, 5 of the Midlands hydrological catchments received exceptionally high rainfall totals relative to the long-term average (LTA). Four hydrological catchments received notably high rainfall totals. Three hydrological areas received an above normal rainfall relative to the LTA.

Soil moisture deficit - As of the end of March, the soils are saturated or at ‘field capacity’ meaning that there is no soil moisture deficit (SMD) remaining.

River flows - In March, the majority of flow sites recorded notably high monthly mean flows compared to the LTA. Six sites recorded exceptionally high monthly mean flows and a further 3 sites recorded above normal flows compared to the LTA.

Groundwater levels - As of the end of March, 4 sites recorded exceptionally high groundwater level compared to the LTA. Two sites recorded above normal groundwater levels compared to the LTA.

Reservoir stocks - As of the end of March, the majority of the Midlands reservoirs in this report recorded (except Dove) above average storage levels compared to the LTA. All of reservoirs are at or near full capacity.

2. Rainfall

During March, 5 of the Midlands hydrological catchments received exceptionally high rainfall totals relative to the LTA. These areas received rainfall totals ranging from 165% to 201% of the LTA. A further 4 hydrological areas received notably high rainfall totals relative to the LTA. These are the Derwent, Tame, Avon, and Mid Severn Tame. Three hydrological areas received above normal rainfall relative to the LTA. These areas are the Welsh Mountains, Lower Trent, and Soar.

In the last 3 months, the majority of the Midlands hydrological areas received exceptionally high rainfall totals, ranging from 144% to 175% of the 3-month LTA. Two hydrological areas received notably high rainfall totals. These are the Welsh Mountains in the west and Derwent in the north-east of the Midlands.

Looking at the last 6 months, all of the Midlands hydrological areas recorded exceptionally high rainfall totals compared to the 6-month LTA. These areas received rainfall totals ranging from 146% to 182% of the LTA respectively.

Over the last 12 months, all hydrological catchments with the exception of the Lower Wye received exceptionally high rainfall totals compared to the 12-month LTA. The Lower Wye hydrological catchment received a notably high rainfall total of 132% of the LTA.

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

Soil moisture deficit has remained consistent across the whole of the Midlands since November 2023, with March continuing to have 10mm or less of SMD. As of the end of March, the soils are saturated or at ‘field capacity’ meaning that there is no SMD. Soils in the eastern and southern regions of the Midlands were slightly wetter than the LTA for March.

4. River flows

In March, the majority of flow monitoring sites in the Midlands recorded notably high monthly mean flows ranging from 145% to 223% of the LTA. These are located in the central, northeastern and southwestern parts of the Midlands. A further 6 sites recorded exceptionally high monthly mean flows compared to the LTA. These are Clifton Hall, Ebley Mill, Great Bridgeford, Walcot, Wedderburn Bridge and Yoxall. Three sites recorded above normal which are Kegworth, Llanyblodwel, and Whatstandwell. Only Deerhurst recorded normal monthly mean flows relative to the LTA.

5. Groundwater levels   

As of the end of March, groundwater monitoring sites are at normal status or above. Four sites; Weir Farm, Rider Point, Four Crosses, and Coxmoor, are recording exceptionally high groundwater levels compared to the LTA. Southards Lane and Crossley Hill in the north of the Midlands recorded above normal groundwater levels compared to the LTA. Anthony’s Cross in the south of the Midlands recorded notably high groundwater levels compared to the LTA. Ram Hall recorded normal groundwater levels compared to the LTA.

6. Reservoir stocks

As of the end of March, the majority of the Midlands reservoirs in this report (except Dove) recorded above average storage levels compared to the LTA. Reservoirs storage across the region ranged between 90% and 100%. Furthermore, all of reservoirs are at or near full capacity.

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. The 2023 regulation season saw 49 days of river regulation, which commenced on 29 May followed by a dry June then unsettled weather from then late into the season. The last day of regulation was 12 September 2023. Regulation has not yet been instigated for 2024.

8. River Wye operations

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

9. Water abstraction restrictions

As of 2 April 2024, there are no water abstraction licence restrictions in place across the Midlands.

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.