Research and analysis

North East water situation: February 2026 summary

Updated 12 March 2026

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

February was a wet month with all catchments recording above average rainfall, with totals classed as notably high or above normal. Monthly mean river flows fell within the normal, above normal, notably high and exceptionally high ranges. Soils across the area remained fully saturated. Reservoir stocks were healthy for February and were above average with the exception of Kielder reservoir which was just below average due to flood alleviation releases.

2. Rainfall

Monthly rainfall totals were above the long term average (LTA) for all catchments. Totals ranged from 117% of the LTA in the Tyne catchment to 176% of the LTA in the Seaham catchment. February totals were classed as notably high for the Tweed, Northumbria North Sea Tribs and Seaham catchments, above normal for the Tyne, Wear and Tees catchments. Analysis of the daily rainfall totals shows that most days were wet during the first 2 weeks of February and some areas recorded rain on every day from 16 January to 23 February. On 22 February widespread rainfall was again recorded in the Tweed, Northumbria North Sea Tribs and Seaham catchments.

Cumulative 6 month totals were classed as notably high across all catchments with the exception of Northumbria North Sea Tribs which fell within the exceptionally high range. Cumulative 12 month totals fell within the normal range for the first time since March 2025.

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

Soil moisture deficits (SMD) are slightly drier than the end of January. All catchments are fully saturated with SMD just above zero across the North East area.

4. River flows

Monthly mean river flows fell within the normal, above normal, notably high and exceptionally high ranges for February. Monthly mean flows ranged from 113% of the LTA at Haydon Bridge in the South Tyne catchment to 257% of the LTA at Hartford Bridge on the River Blyth.

Analysis of daily mean flows shows that flows were elevated at the beginning of the month following a wet January and fell within the normal, above normal and notably high ranges. Daily mean flows increased at all indicator sites following prolonged rainfall during the first 2 weeks of February and exceptionally high flows were recorded at all sites. Daily mean flows decreased towards the end of the month with all indicator sites falling within the normal range.

5. Groundwater levels   

Groundwater levels varied across the area this month. Levels increased at Aycliffe on the Skerne Magnesian Limestone aquifer and at Royalty Observation on the Till Fell Sandstone and both were classed as above normal. Groundwater levels remained the same as last month at other monitoring sites and fell within the normal or above normal range for February.

6. Reservoir stocks

The Durham group, Lune and Balder group and Cow Green reservoir stocks remained the same as last month and were above average for the time of year. Derwent and the North Tynedale group recorded increases in stocks. Derwent reservoir recorded the largest increase from 70.8% to 91.9% which is above the average for February and resulted in flood alleviation releases being made.

Reservoir or reservoir group	Percentage of current stocks	Percentage of previous month stocks
Kielder	90.3	90.7
North Tynedale group	98.1	92.4
Derwent	91.9	70.8
Durham group	100	100
Lune and Balder group	98.5	98.5
Cow Green	100	100

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.