Research and analysis

North East water situation: June 2025 summary

Updated 15 July 2025

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

Overall June was another dry month with below average rainfall recorded in all catchments with the exception of the Tyne catchment, which recorded just above average rainfall. Six-month cumulative rainfall totals are exceptionally low across the whole North East area. Monthly mean river flows decreased at four of the eight indicator sites and fell within the above normal to exceptionally low ranges. Heaton Mill, Mitford and Witton Park all recorded their lowest monthly mean June flows since their records began. Groundwater levels remained consistent with levels recorded in May across the area. Reservoir stocks varied across the area and remain below average for the time of year.

2. Rainfall

Monthly rainfall totals were below the long term average (LTA) for all catchments, with the exception of the Tyne catchment. Monthly totals ranged from 51% of the LTA in the Seaham catchment to 105% of the LTA in the Tyne catchment.

Analysis of the daily rainfall shows the unsettled period at the end of May continued until 9 June, with spells of drier weather from 10 to 12 June and 15 to 20 June. Periods of rain were recorded across the area from 21 to 28 June with the majority of rain recorded in the Tyne catchment, whilst in the north of the area lower totals were observed.  

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 all catchments. All catchments except the Tyne have recorded their driest 4-month period up to and including June since records began in 1871. The second driest start to the year (6 months ending June), has been recorded for the Seaham (after 1949), Tees (after 1929) and Northumberland catchments (after 1949).

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) are between 101mm and 130 mm in the Seaham catchment. SMDs have recovered to between 41mm to 70mm in both the Tyne and Wear catchments. The rest of the area falls within the 71mm to 100mm SMD banding. Soils are drier than average for the time of year, except for the Tyne catchment, which shows a -5mm to +5mm difference from the LTA.

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. Haydon Bridge on the River South Tyne recorded the largest increase in monthly mean flow, moving from notably low in May to above normal in June with 119% of the LTA recorded. Monthly mean flows ranged from just 20% of the LTA at Mitford to 119% of the LTA at Haydon Bridge.

Heaton Mill on the River Till, Mitford on the River Wansbeck and Witton Park on the River Wear all recorded their lowest June monthly mean flows since their records began in 2001, 1968 and 1972 respectively. This is the third month in a row that Mitford and Witton Park have recorded their lowest monthly mean flows on record.

Analysis of the daily mean flows shows that flows were in the above normal, normal, notably low or exceptionally low ranges at the start of the month. Daily mean flows increased at all indicator sites following an unsettled start to the month with rainfall recorded across the area on most days up to 9 June. Daily mean flows generally decreased at indicator sites from 9 June to 20 June then increased again in the final week in response to rainfall.

5. Groundwater levels   

Groundwater levels remained consistent with levels recorded in May 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 has not changed significantly since May and falls within the normal range. 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 June.

6. Reservoir stocks

Changes in reservoir stocks vary across the area in June. Kielder, Cow Green and the Lune and Balder group have seen increases in stocks this month, most notably at Kielder which recorded a 5% increase. The North Tynedale group, Durham group and Derwent recorded decreases in stocks with the largest decrease at Derwent reservoir being 8%. Reservoir stocks across the area remain below average for the time of year.

Reservoir or reservoir group	Percentage of current stocks	Percentage of previous month stocks
Kielder	86.4	81.0
North Tynedale group	52.7	58.2
Derwent	64.7	72.8
Durham group	57.6	58.4
Lune and Balder group	73.9	72.6
Cow Green	65.8	64.3

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.