Research and analysis

North East water situation: March 2024 summary

Updated 15 April 2024

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

March was a slightly wet month with monthly rainfall totals classed as normal or above normal. River flows have remained in the same categories as February, falling within the above normal and normal ranges. Soil moisture deficits remain within the wet category across the whole area. Reservoir stocks remain healthy for this time of year. Groundwater stocks vary but remain healthy, with only one indicator site falling within the below normal category.

2. Rainfall

March monthly rainfall totals remained above the long term average (LTA) across all catchments in the North East and were classed as above normal for most catchments with the exception of the Tees and Seaham catchments which fell into the normal category. Monthly totals ranged from 104% of the LTA in the Tees catchment to 134% of the LTA in the Tweed catchment. This follows an extremely wet period. Cumulative 6 month totals show that the last 6 months were the wettest on record since 1871 for Seaham and Tweed catchments, second wettest for the Wear catchment, and third for Tyne and Northumberland. For Seaham, Wear, and Tees cumulative totals for the past nine months have been the wettest on record since 1871.

The first few days in March saw some showers. Further showers occurred on 9 and 10 March. The month was then relatively dry until 25 and 26 March where larger totals were observed, leading to higher river levels.

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

All soils remain saturated throughout the North East and were classified as wet across the area.

4. River flows

River flows have remained similar to last month with mean monthly flows at indicator sites remaining normal or above normal for March. Monthly mean flows ranged from 90% of the LTA at Rothbury on the River Coquet to 150% of the LTA at Mitford on the River Wansbeck.

Analysis of the daily mean flows shows that flows were in the above normal or notably high ranges at the start of the month as a result of heavy showers. Most flows dropped back to normal until further rainfall on 9 and 10 March. For a few indicator sites flows remained above normal for several days before increasing again at the end of the month as a result of heavier rainfall. Mitford remained above normal and above for the majority of the month.

5. Groundwater levels   

Groundwater levels have generally remained constant this month, with the exception of the levels in the Fell Sandstone at Royal Observation which have increased from notably high to exceptionally high. Groundwater levels remain exceptionally high at Aycliffe NRA2 on the Skerne Magnesian Limestone. This remains consistent with the above average rainfall and saturated soil across the area. Townlaw in the Fell sandstone remains at below normal levels.

6. Reservoir stocks

Most of the reservoirs across the area have seen a slight decrease in stock level this month, with the exception of Cow Green reservoir which remains at 100% stock, and Derwent reservoir which has increased from 94.9% to 99.1%. Overall, reservoir stocks remain very healthy.

Reservoir or reservoir group	Percentage of current stocks	Percentage of previous month stocks
Kielder	94.6	94.7
North Tynedale group	91.3	94.3
Derwent	99.1	94.9
Durham group	91.1	91.8
Lune and Balder group	95.7	97.4
Cow Green	100	100

Author: GWHCL North East, 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.