Research and analysis

North East water situation: August 2026 summary

Updated 14 September 2026

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

August rainfall totals were below normal across the area but considerably higher than in July. Monthly mean river flows increased at most indicator sites and were classed as normal, below normal, notably low, or exceptionally low. Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) decreased in 2 catchments but remained higher than the long term average (LTA) in most catchments. All reservoirs continued to record a decrease in stocks and remained below average for the time of year. Groundwater levels decreased at 3 out of the 5 indicator sites and increased at 2, falling within the below normal, normal, and above normal ranges.

2. Rainfall

August was wetter than July, although rainfall totals remained below average for the time of year. August totals were below normal in all catchments, in contrast to the totals in July, which were exceptionally low in 4 out of the 6 catchments. August totals ranged from 62% of the LTA in the Northumbria North Sea Tribs catchment to 71% in the Tees catchment. Most days in August recorded rainfall. The largest daily totals were generally recorded on 19 August, with further high totals on 3 August and at the end of the month. 

Cumulative 3-month totals indicate progressively drier conditions towards the south of the area, ranging from below normal in the Tweed catchment to exceptionally low across the southern catchments. Cumulative 6-month totals were notably low across all catchments, whilst cumulative 12-month totals were normal across all catchments. Rainfall has remained below average for 6 consecutive months in the Tweed and Northumbria North Sea Tribs catchments. In the Tyne catchment, rainfall has been below average for 5 consecutive months.

3. Soil moisture deficit

SMDs decreased in the Tyne and Tees catchments. Deficits remained highest in the Seaham catchment, and fell in the 101mm to 130mm banding. Deficits were lowest in the Tyne catchment, in the 41mm to 70mm range. Across all other catchments, deficits fell in the 71mm to 100mm range. Soils remained drier than average for the time of year, although some improvement was observed in the Seaham catchment. SMDs were 6mm to 25mm above the LTA in the Seaham catchment and 26mm to 50mm above the LTA in all other catchments.

4. River flows

Monthly mean river flows increased at 6 out of the 8 indicator sites, and decreased at 2. Monthly mean flows were classed as normal, below normal, notably low, or exceptionally low. Flows ranged from only 8% of the LTA at Rutherford Bridge on the River Greta to 67% at Middleton-in-Teesdale on the River Tees. Flows at Middleton-in-Teesdale are impacted by upstream releases from Cow Green reservoir. The site issues at Heaton Mill have been resolved, with missing data from earlier months now backfilled. At this site, monthly mean flow was exceptionally low for the time of year.

At all indicator sites, daily mean flows were higher at the end of the month than at the beginning. This increase reflected frontal rainfall on the 27 August and heavy, thundery showers during the final few days of the month. The largest peaks in daily mean flows were generally observed around 20 August, with smaller increases around 4 and 5 August. Daily mean flows increased during the last 2 days of the month, particularly at Rutherford Bridge, where flows nearly tripled between 29 and 31 August. By the end of August, daily mean flows were normal at 5 out of the 8 indicator sites. Daily mean flows were below normal at Rothbury, notably low at Mitford, and exceptionally low at Heaton Mill.

5. Groundwater levels          

Changes in groundwater levels were varied. In the Fell Sandstone, levels decreased at Royalty Observation and increased very slightly at Townlaw. Despite this slight increase at Townlaw, levels changed from normal to below normal for the time of year. Levels at Royalty Observation changed from above normal to normal.

In the Magnesian Limestone, groundwater levels decreased at West Hall Farm and Aycliffe Nra2, and increased at Red Lion. Despite these changes, levels remained in the same bandings as July at all 3 sites. Levels remained above normal at West Hall Farm and Red Lion and normal at Aycliffe Nra2.

6. Reservoir stocks

All reservoirs recorded a decrease in stocks and remain below average for the time of year. Cow Green reservoir recorded the largest decrease, with stocks falling by 19.3% during August as releases continued to support downstream abstractions and maintain river flows. Derwent reservoir recorded the smallest decrease, falling by 9%.

The Kielder transfer system has been in operation since 28 May to support stocks in Waskerley reservoir within the Durham group. Additional support began on 13 July through releases at Frosterley to maintain flows in the River Wear and sustain public water supply abstraction. Substitution of the Derwent reservoir compensation flow began on 22 July. Hury reservoir in the Lune and Balder group has been drawn down since April for planned maintenance.

Reservoir or reservoir group	Percentage of current stocks	Percentage of previous month stocks
Kielder	76.8	83.5
North Tynedale group	52.2	63.4
Derwent	58.5	67.5
Durham group	46.1	57.3
Lune and Balder group	57.3	66.2
Cow Green	43.3	62.6

Author: Environment Agency, hydrology.northeast@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.