North East water situation: April 2025 summary
Updated 14 May 2025
Applies to England
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1. Summary
April was another dry month with rainfall totals classed as exceptionally low and very little rainfall recorded across the area. Monthly mean river flows decreased at all indicator sites and fell within the notably low or exceptionally low ranges. Groundwater levels stayed consistent across the area in comparison to March, with the exception of Aycliffe which decreased from above normal to normal levels. All reservoir stocks in the area have decreased this month and are below average for the time of year.
2. Rainfall
Monthly rainfall totals were significantly below the long term average (LTA) for all catchments, with totals falling within the exceptionally low range. Overall, 8 of the last 10 months have recorded below the LTA rainfall and it has been the driest start to the year in the North East since 1929. Monthly totals ranged from just 9% of the LTA in the Seaham catchment to 21% of the LTA in the Tweed catchment.
Analysis of the daily rainfall shows very little rainfall was recorded in April, with only low rainfall totals on even the wettest day: 16 April.
The 1-month, 3-month and 6-month rainfall totals are in the exceptionally low range for the whole area. Only duration totals of 13 months and above are in the normal range for all catchments. The Tyne catchment has recorded the driest 2 and 3 months (up to and including April) on record since records began in 1871.
3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge
Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) are 11 to 40mm in the Tyne catchment, which is an increase from below 10mm in March. SMDs are between 41 and 70 mm across the rest of the area, which is an increase from 11 to 40mm in March. Soils are much drier than average for the time of year with a 26 to 50mm difference from the LTA.
4. River flows
Monthly mean river flows have decreased this month from notably low to exceptionally low at Heaton Mill and Witton Park. All sites fall within the exceptionally low range with the exception of Rothbury and Hartford Bridge, which remain in the notably low range. Monthly mean flows ranged from just 10% of the LTA at Rutherford Bridge to 36% of the LTA at Middleton in Teesdale where flows are supported by releases from Cow Green reservoir.
For the second month in a row, Middleton in Teesdale and Haydon Bridge recorded their lowest monthly mean flow since records began in 1972 and 1974. Mitford, Rutherford Bridge, and Witton Park recorded their lowest April mean flows since records began in 1968, 1960 and 1972 respectively.
Analysis of the daily mean flows shows that flows were in exceptionally low, notably low and below normal ranges for the entire month. There were 2 exceptions with Middleton in Teesdale recording within the normal range on the 19 April, and Heaton Mill recording within the normal range on the 17 April. This followed the small amount of rainfall in the middle of the month.
5. Groundwater levels
Groundwater levels vary across the area. Levels in West Hall Farm borehole in the Wear Magnesian Limestone fall within the exceptionally high range. West Hall Farm appears to be subject to longer term recovery following significant reduction of abstraction within the vicinity. The level in Aycliffe NRA2 in the Skerne Magnesian Limestone decreased slightly and falls within the normal range, down from above normal in March. Royalty Observation is classed as normal in the Fell Sandstone. Red Lion in the Skerne Magnesian Limestone and Town Law in the Fell Sandstone fall within the normal ranges for March.
6. Reservoir stocks
All reservoir stocks decreased across the area this month. The largest decreases were within the Durham Group, Lune and Balder group, and Cow Green, which recorded between a 9.5% and 16.8% percent decrease in stock. Reservoir stocks across the area are below average for the time of year and the Durham group is very close to it’s April minimum.
| Reservoir or reservoir group | Percentage of current stocks | Percentage of previous month stocks |
|---|---|---|
| Kielder | 84.4 | 87.1 |
| North Tynedale group | 65.8 | 73.4 |
| Derwent | 82.6 | 90.3 |
| Durham group | 72.6 | 89.4 |
| Lune and Balder group | 75.7 | 87 |
| Cow Green | 75.5 | 85 |
Author: Environment Agency, hydrology.northeast@environment-agency.gov.uk
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.