Research and analysis

North East water situation: July 2025 summary

Updated 12 August 2025

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

July was a wetter month than June, with normal rainfall recorded in all catchments. Monthly mean river flows increased at 7 of the 8 indicator sites and fell within the normal to below normal ranges. Groundwater levels have decreased across the area but 4 of the 5 groundwater indicator sites remain in the normal band for this time of year. Reservoir stocks varied across the area and remain below average for the time of year, with the exception of Kielder reservoir.

2. Rainfall

Monthly rainfall totals were below the long term average (LTA) for the Seaham catchment and approaching or above average elsewhere. Monthly totals ranged from 81% of the LTA in the Seaham area to 111% of the LTA in the Tweed catchment.

Analysis of the daily rainfall totals shows several periods of rain spread across the month, particularly between 1 and 8 July and between 15 and 23 July. The highest rainfall totals were recorded in the Tyne catchment, followed by the Tweed and Northumberland catchments. Lower totals were recorded in the Wear and Tees catchments. The cumulative 6-month rainfall totals are in the exceptionally low range for the whole area and 12-month rainfall totals are in the notably low range for the majority of catchments except Northumberland and the Wear which fall within the exceptionally low range. The Seaham and Wear catchments have both recorded their driest 5-month period  ending in July since records began in 1871, while the Tees has recorded its second driest 5-month period ending in July since 1871.

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) have remained consistent since June. SMDs have been between 101mm and 130 mm in the Seaham catchment, 41mm to 70mm in both the Tyne and Wear catchments, with the rest of the area falling within the 71mm to 100mm SMD banding. Soils are drier than average for the time of year, with the Seaham, Northumberland and Tweed catchments showing a 26mm to 50mm difference from the LTA, and the rest of the area showing a 6mm to 25mm difference.

4. River flows

Monthly mean river flows have varied this month as a result of localised rainfall in the area, notably in the Tyne catchment. Flows at most indicator sites were below normal, except for Rutherford Bridge, Haydon Bridge and Rothbury, which fell within the normal range. Rutherford Bridge on the River Greta recorded the largest increase in monthly mean flow, moving from 34% of the LTA in June to 67% of the LTA in July. Monthly mean flows ranged from 29% of the LTA at Hartford Bridge to 123% of the LTA at Haydon Bridge.

Analysis of the daily mean flows shows that flows were in the normal, below normal, notably low and exceptionally low ranges at the start of the month. Daily mean flows fluctuated across the indicator sites, with peaks around the first and fourth weeks of the month following rainfall. Most indicator sites, with the exception of Heaton Mill and Mitford, also recorded smaller peaks around 15 to 17 July with flows falling within the normal and above normal ranges. Neither Rothbury or Rutherford Bridge dropped to the notably low or exceptionally low ranges, both recording between below normal and notably high flows across the month. Haydon Bridge is the only site that recorded exceptionally high flows within the month which occurred during the first week. The other sites all recorded between exceptionally low and notably high flows.

5. Groundwater levels   

Groundwater levels across all catchments are now decreasing as a result of the prolonged dry weather over the preceding spring and summer months, but most remain in the normal range for the time of year. Groundwater levels at Aycliffe (NRA2) in the Magnesian Limestone and Royalty Observation in the Fell Sandstone are showing the steepest decline which is expected as both are located in the recharge, unconfined areas of the aquifers, which are more responsive to variations in rainfall. Townlaw in the Fell Sandstone, and Red Lion and West Hall Farm both in the Magnesian Limestone are showing a slower decline. These sites are located within the more confined areas of the aquifers which typically have a delayed response of 3 to 6 months to the observed dry weather. West Hall Farm remains within the notably high range. This seems to be the result of a reduction in nearby abstraction volumes rather than a climatic response.

6. Reservoir stocks

Changes in reservoir stocks vary across the area. Kielder, the North Tynedale Group, and the Durham group have seen increases in stocks this month. The Lune and Balder group and Derwent recorded decreases in stocks with the largest decrease at Derwent reservoir being 8%. Cow Green fluctuated over the month, however it has returned to the same level as the previous month. Reservoir stocks across the area remain below average for the time of year, with the exception of Kielder, which has risen to just above average.

Reservoir or reservoir group	Percentage of current stocks	Percentage of previous month stocks
Kielder	89.7	86.4
North Tynedale group	55.1	52.7
Derwent	56.8	64.7
Durham group	59.8	57.6
Lune and Balder group	69.1	73.9
Cow Green	65.8	65.8

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.