Research and analysis

Midlands water situation report: May 2025 summary

Updated 12 June 2025

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

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

Rainfall - For the fourth consecutive month all Midlands areas received less than 100% of their long term average (LTA) rainfall. In May the amount of rainfall received varied across the region, with the driest parts in the south of the region. 

Soil moisture deficit - Soil moisture deficit (SMD) across the Midlands has increased in May. By the end of the month the SMD were much larger than their respective LTA for the time of year reflecting the dry and warm spring.

River flows - Exceptionally low mean monthly flows occurred at 9 of the reported sites, these were not limited to one basin and occurred in the Wye, Severn and Trent. In addition, 6 sites were classed as notably low and 4 as below normal, again these were not limited to an individual basin.

Groundwater levels - As of the end of May, the majority of groundwater levels recorded normal or higher compared to the LTA. The exception to this being 2 sites which are now classed as below normal.

Reservoir stocks - Most reservoirs have experienced a reduction in storage during May due to dry weather conditions reducing refill and increases in water demand.

2. Rainfall

In May, whilst all Midlands had less than 100% LTA, the amount of rainfall received varied across the region.

The driest part was in the south of the region, with the rainfall totals being exceptionally low for the Lower Severn and notably low in the Lower Wye and Avon. The rainfall totals for this southern part being 29% to 38% of its May LTA. Much of the rest of the region received below normal rainfall, ranging from 46% to 72% of its LTA. The exception being the Shropshire Plains, Upper Trent and Dove whom had normal rainfall classification with 75% to 94% of their LTA rainfall.

Looking back at the metrological spring (March to May) as a whole, most Midlands hydrological catchments received exceptionally low rainfall amounts ranging between 33% and 46% of their LTA. In fact, the Midlands region had its second driest 3-month period on record, with only the same months in 1990 being drier. The Upper Trent, Dove and Shropshire Plains received slightly more rainfall relative to their LTA (54% to 56% respectively) and thus classified as notably low.

Looking back at the metrological winter and spring (December to May) as a whole, most Midlands hydrological catchments received below normal rainfall totals ranging between 71% and 82% of their LTA. In the south-west of the region it was even drier relative to their LTA, with Lower and Mid Severn receiving 68% to 71% of their normal rainfall. In contrast, in the north-east of the region rainfall totals reached 85% of its LTA and thus was classified as normal.

Looking at the last 12 months rainfall totals combined, rainfall has been normal for most of the Midlands ranging from 85% to 103% of its LTA. The only exception being the Welsh mountains which had below normal rainfall totals with 83% of its LTA.

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

SMD across the Midlands has increased in May. By the end of May, the driest soils occurred in the east and south-east of the region, with SMD of between 101mm to 130mm occurring in the Lower Trent, Soar and Avon. Whilst the rest of the region had SMDs at 71mm to 100mm with the exception of the Welsh mountains. 

Throughout the Midlands the SMDs are much larger than their respective LTAs. For the Middle Severn and Lower Wye the deficits are 51mm to 75mm larger than LTA and throughout the rest of the region 26mm to 50mm. The soils were drier than typically expected for the time of year, reflecting the dry and warm spring.    

4. River flows

In May, of the 21 monthly river flow sites reported here, 9 of the sites were classed as exceptionally low, including the:

• Lower Wye
• Frome (Gloucester)
• Middle and Lower Severn
• Teme
• Dove
• Derwent

The sites with the lowest flow relative to their LTA were Tenbury (Teme) at 28% and Redbrook (Lower Wye) at 30%. 

Notably low mean monthly flows occurred at 6 sites, including the:

• Leadon
• Sow
• Soar
• Lower Trent
• Torne

Below normal flows occurred at 4 sites including:

• Tern
• Upper Avon
• Mease
• Upper Trent

Two sites were classed as having normal monthly mean flows, these were:

• Evesham, at 60% of the LTA
• Worksop, at 66% of the LTA

Some rivers showed a mild response to the rainfall that occurred towards the end of the month. However, due to the dry antecedent conditions any river level rise that did occur was limited and recession quickly followed.  

5. Groundwater levels   

As of the end of May, the majority of groundwater levels recorded normal or higher compared to the LTA. The exceptions being Rider Point (Carboniferous limestone) and Southards Lane (Magnesian limestone), which are now both classed as below normal.

About 7 of the 9 reported groundwater sites have had a reduction in groundwater level during May, however in most cases this was insufficient to change the sites class. Similar to last month, normal groundwater levels compared to the LTA were recorded at Ram Hall and St Mary’s Church. There was however an additional site to be classed as above normal due to Anthony’s Cross changing from notably high, resulting from a decrease in groundwater level. Thus bringing the number of above normal sites to 3, the others being Four Crosses and Crossley Hill. 

Coxmoor remains as notably high compared to the LTA, with its groundwater level remaining similar to the previous month. Also Weir Farm remains exceptionally high for groundwater levels compared to the LTA, despite a decrease in groundwater level.

6. Reservoir stocks

Most reservoirs have experienced a reduction in current storage during May. The dry weather conditions and warm temperatures have reduced reservoir refill and increased water use demand.

Only Draycote has remained above its LTA. In addition, Clywedog and the Dove (Formark, Staunton) reservoirs have managed to end the month above 90% full. The lowest reservoirs percentage storage at the end of May were Derwent (65%), Tittesworth (68%) Charnwood (69%), Elan (70%) and Blithfield (72%). 

Updated reservoirs levels can be found and on the relevant water company’s website.

7. Environmental impact 

East Midlands Area moved to prolonged dry weather (PDW) incident status on 15 May 2025 whilst West Midlands moved on 21 May 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.

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 Friday 9 May but was paused on Tuesday 27 May following rainfall in the Welsh Mountains, there have been 15 Regulation days so far this season.

9. River Wye operations

Wye Regulation began Friday 2 May and continued for the remainder of the month as flows at Redbrook remained below the Regulation threshold.

10. Water abstraction restrictions

As of the end of May there were 23 water abstraction licence restrictions in place across the Midlands affecting 86 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.