Research and analysis

North East water situation: July 2026 summary

Updated 12 August 2026

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

July rainfall totals were below normal, notably low, or exceptionally low across the area. It was the driest July on record in 3 of the 6 catchments. Monthly mean river flows decreased at all indicator sites and were classed as below normal, notably low, or exceptionally low. Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) increased in 2 catchments and were significantly higher than the long term average (LTA) in all catchments. All reservoirs recorded a decrease in stocks and were below average for the time of year. Groundwater levels decreased at 3 of the 5 indicator sites and increased at 2, falling within the above normal and normal ranges.

2. Rainfall

Across the North East area as a whole, July was the fifth driest on record and the driest since 2006. It was also the driest July on record in the Wear, Seaham, and Tees catchments. Monthly rainfall totals ranged from only 13% of the LTA in the Wear catchment to 62% in the Tweed catchment. A north-south trend was evident, with rainfall deficits becoming increasingly severe further south. Totals were below normal in the Tweed catchment, notably low in the Northumbria North Sea Tribs catchment, and exceptionally low in all remaining catchments. This is in stark contrast to June, when rainfall totals were normal for the time of year across all catchments. Daily rainfall totals were low throughout July with most days recording little to no rainfall. The highest totals were generally recorded on 25 and 26 July, with more modest amounts also on 1, 3, and 5 July.

Cumulative 3-month totals were below normal in the Seaham and Tees catchments and notably low in all other catchments. Cumulative 6-month totals were below normal in all catchments except the Tyne catchment, which was normal. Cumulative 12-month totals were normal across all catchments. Rainfall has remained below average for 5 consecutive months in the Tweed and Northumbria North Sea Tribs catchments. In the Tyne catchment, rainfall has been below average for 4 consecutive months.

3. Soil moisture deficits

SMDs increased in the Tyne and Tees catchments. Deficits were highest in the Seaham and Tees catchments, ranging from 101 to 130mm. Across all other catchments, deficits ranged from 71 to 100mm. Soils remained drier than average for the time of year. Departures from the 1991 to 2020 LTA increased in the Tyne and Wear catchments. As a result, SMDs were 26 to 50mm above the LTA across all catchments.

4. River flows

Monthly mean river flows decreased at all indicator sites as a result of low rainfall. Flows ranged from only 10% of the LTA at Rutherford Bridge on the River Greta to 75% at Middleton-in-Teesdale on the River Tees. Flows remained notably low at Rothbury on the River Coquet and below normal at Witton Park on the River Wear, for the time of year. Flows at Hartford Bridge on the River Blyth, Haydon Bridge on the River South Tyne, and Middleton-in-Teesdale decreased to below normal. Monthly mean flow at Mitford on the River Wansbeck was also below normal for the time of year. Monthly mean flow at Rutherford Bridge decreased by 91% between June and July, moving from normal to exceptionally low for the time of year.

Daily mean flows decreased at most sites through July, leading on from a decreasing trend at the end of June. Daily mean flows increased at all sites around 26 July, following a period of rainfall. Haydon Bridge, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Rutherford Bridge, and Witton Park also recorded increased flows between 3 and 5 July in response to rainfall. By the end of July, daily mean flows were below normal at Hartford Bridge and Haydon Bridge, notably low at Mitford and Rothbury, and exceptionally low at Rutherford Bridge.

Daily mean flows at Middleton-in-Teesdale and Witton Park exhibited different trends, influenced by regulation of the Rivers Tees and Wear upstream of these sites. At Middleton-in-Teesdale, flows were normal for the majority of the month, falling to below normal for only one day on 9 July. Increased upstream releases from Cow Green reservoir led to higher flows at this site for the rest of the month. At Witton Park, daily mean flows decreased to exceptionally low at the start of July. From mid-July onwards, the Kielder transfer system operated to support flows in the River Wear. Flows at Witton Park subsequently increased to within the normal range and remained relatively stable thereafter.

5. Groundwater levels          

Changes in groundwater levels were varied. In the Fell Sandstone, levels decreased at Royalty Observation and increased at Townlaw. Despite the decrease at Royalty Observation, levels changed from normal to above normal for the time of year at the end of July. Levels at Townlaw remained normal.

In the Magnesian Limestone, groundwater levels decreased at West Hall Farm and Aycliffe Nra2, and increased at Red Lion. Levels at Aycliffe Nra2 changed from above normal to normal for the time of year. Levels at Red Lion and West Hall Farm remained above normal.

6. Reservoir stocks

All reservoirs recorded a decrease in stocks. Cow Green reservoir recorded the largest decrease, falling from 83.3% to 62.6% by the end of July. Derwent reservoir recorded the smallest decrease, falling from 75.8% to 67.5%. All reservoir stocks were below average for the time of year.

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 meet the minimum maintained flow requirement in the River Wear. Hury reservoir in the Lune and Balder group was drawn down in April for planned maintenance.

Reservoir or reservoir group	Percentage of current stocks	Percentage of previous month stocks
Kielder	83.5	92.4
North Tynedale group	63.4	72.1
Derwent	67.5	75.8
Durham group	57.3	69.6
Lune and Balder group	66.2	76.9
Cow Green	62.6	83.3

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.