Research and analysis

Midlands water situation: September 2026 summary

Updated 14 October 2026

Applies to England

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

1. Midlands

Despite a wet start to the month, the Midlands received 59% of the long term average (LTA) rainfall in September. While most hydrological areas were classified as having normal rainfall totals during the month, all areas received less than 100% of their September LTA. Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) decreased following rainfall at the end of August and beginning of September but increased overall during September, leaving soils drier than expected for the time of year by month-end. River flows have generally remained low, with more than half of monitoring sites recording below normal monthly mean flows and 2 sites recording exceptionally low flows. Groundwater sites continue to record normal groundwater levels or higher for all but one site. Only Southards Lane, on magnesian limestone, is recording below normal groundwater levels. Reservoir storage levels remained below average for the time of year at all 10 reservoirs, with storage decreasing at all but one reservoir during the month.

2. Rainfall

An average of 35.6mm of rain fell across the Midlands in September, equating to 59% of the LTA. The majority of hydrological areas, 9 out of 12, were classed as normal rainfall totals in September. Three remaining hydrological areas to the east all recorded below normal rainfall totals in September. All hydrological areas recorded below 100% of their September rainfall LTA, with the Welsh Mountains recording the highest LTA percentage of 99%.

Over the past 3 months, half of the Midlands hydrological catchments recorded exceptionally low rainfall. These catchments were in the south and west of the region. Two catchments, the Derwent and Tame, recorded below normal rainfall amounts. The remaining 4 catchments, the Lower Trent, Soar, Dove and Upper Trent all recorded notably low rainfall amounts.

Over the past 6 months, 8 of 12 hydrological catchments recorded exceptionally low rainfall totals. The Dove and the Derwent in the north recorded below normal rainfall amounts. The Tame and Upper Trent in the central and the north of the Midlands, both recorded notably low rainfall amounts.

Over the past 12 months, 7 of 12 hydrological catchments recorded normal rainfall amounts. Three catchments, the Lower Trent, Upper Trent and the Dove, recorded above normal rainfall amounts. The Derwent and Tame recorded notably high rainfall amounts.

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

After a wetter transition period from August to September, SMD values at the beginning of September dropped (soils got wetter). However, SMD values increased overall during September as soils became drier. More than half of the hydrological areas had an actual SMD value of between 101mm and 130mm. The remaining areas, concentrated in the northern half of the Midlands, recorded between 71mm and 100mm of SMD. Relative to the LTA, all but one hydrological area recorded SMDs that were 26mm to 50mm higher than average. The Lower Wye, in the south-west of the Midlands, recorded SMD 51mm to 75mm greater compared to its September LTA.

Soils in the Midlands remain drier than expected by the end of September.

4. River flows

More than half of the flow sites in September recorded below normal monthly mean flows. These were located throughout the Upper and Middle Severn, the Trent and the Wye catchments. Six sites recorded normal flows, 3 of these were located in the East Midlands, and 3 located along the south-eastern border of the West Midlands. Two sites, Tenbury in the west, and Ebley Mill to the south, both recorded exceptionally low flows.

Wedderburn Bridge continues to have data issues and has been excluded from this report. Clifton Hall has been experiencing data issues this month and has therefore been excluded from this September report. Deerhurst is down for maintenance; therefore, Haw Bridge flows have been used as a proxy due to its close proximity.

5. Groundwater levels   

By the end of September, 5 out of 9 groundwater sites, covering various geology types, were recording normal groundwater levels. Southards Lane, which is over a limestone geology in the north, recorded below normal groundwater levels. Also in the north, but over a sandstone geology, Crossley Hill recorded notably high groundwater levels, and Coxmoor exceptionally high groundwater levels. Weir Farm to the west, over a sandstone geology, recorded above normal groundwater levels.

6. Reservoir stocks

All 10 reservoirs reported on in this report continue to have below average storage for this time of year. Storage levels at the end of September in all but one reservoir had decreased since the end of August. Clywedog in the west was the exception, with storage levels rising. By the end of September, reservoir storage in the Midlands ranged from 24% to 72% full.

7. Environmental impact 

West Midlands moved to drought incident status on 28 July 2026. East Midlands moved into drought incident status on 10 August 2026. Both areas remain in drought incident status. We continue to work with water companies and other abstractors to manage water resources and take precautionary actions where needed.

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. Regulation was instigated when flows dropped below the threshold on 20 June 2026 and as of 30 September 2026, there have been 86 days of Severn Regulation so far. Fifteen out of 30 days in September were regulation days and regulation releases were made on the last day of September.

9. River Wye operations

Following on from the previous month, flows remained below the threshold at Redbrook and so regulation releases continued to be required. Regulation releases were made for the majority of the month, except for between 15 September and 18 September inclusive, and 21 September and 22 September.

10. Water abstraction restrictions

As of 30 September 2026 there are 109 water abstraction licence restrictions in place across the Midlands affecting 398 licences in total.

Author: Midlands Hydrology, midlandshydrology@environment-agency.gov.uk

Contact Details: 03708 506 506

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.