Research and analysis

North-west England water situation: April 2025 summary

Updated 14 May 2025

Applies to England

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

1. Rainfall

Rainfall for north-west England was classed as notably low with 34% of the long term average (LTA). The Cumbria and Lancashire (CLA) area observed 33% of the LTA also classed as notably low. The Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire (GMC) area observed 36% of the LTA, also classed as notably low.

During April, rainfall for hydrological areas within north-west England was classed between below normal and exceptionally low. Seven hydrological areas were classed as notably low and 2 hydrological areas were classed as exceptionally low. The highest rainfall (in terms of the LTA) was recorded in the Cheshire Rivers Group hydrological area with 44% of the LTA classed as below normal. The lowest rainfall (in terms of the LTA) was recorded in the Ribble hydrological area with 24% of the LTA, classed as exceptionally low.

Cumulative rainfall over the last 3 months was classed between notably low and exceptionally low. North-west England saw the third lowest rainfall on record since 1871 for this 3-month cumulative period, as did Lancashire. All areas saw exceptionally low rainfall except for the Esk (Cumbria), Kent, and Derwent hydrological areas which saw notably low rainfall. The lowest rainfall was again in the Ribble hydrological area with 37% of the LTA classed as exceptionally low, the lowest rainfall on record since 1871 for this 3-month cumulative period. The Esk (Dumfries) hydrological area also saw record lowest rainfall for this 3-month cumulative period, at 51% of the LTA, classed as exceptionally low. The Mersey and Irwell Hydrological area saw the second lowest rainfall on record since 1871 for this period. The 3-month cumulative rainfall distribution shows lower rainfall totals recorded in the south and higher rainfall totals recorded in the more exposed west Cumbrian areas.

The 6-month cumulative rainfall period sees progressively drier areas from south to north, classed as normal in southern areas to exceptionally low in the north. The Esk (Dumfries) 6-month cumulative rainfall total was the driest since 1871, at 66% of the LTA, classed as exceptionally low. Cheshire Rivers Group hydrological area had the highest rainfall, classed as normal, at 98% of the LTA.

All hydrological areas saw 12-month cumulative rainfall totals classed as normal, with the exception of the Cheshire Rivers Group hydrological area at 118% of the LTA, classed as notably high. The Ribble hydrological area had the lowest rainfall at 89% of the LTA.

2. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

Low rainfall during April across the north-west of England resulted in increasing soil moisture deficit from the end of March. SMD levels were between 11mm and 70mm and were higher than expected for the time of year, with highest levels in GMC and parts of Lancashire.

3. River flows

As a result of the low rainfall during April, there was a further reduction in river flows across north-west England, with 7 sites in the area below Q95 flow. Monthly mean river flows for April were classed between normal and exceptionally low, 2 being classed as normal, one below normal, 8 as notably low and 14 as exceptionally low. The highest monthly mean river flow (in terms of LTA) was recorded in the River Weaver at Ashbrook with 68% of the LTA, classed as normal. The lowest was in the River Eden at Kirkby Stephen with 15% of the LTA, classed as exceptionally low.

4. Groundwater levels

Groundwater levels across north-west England at the end of April were classed as between exceptionally high and exceptionally low. Groundwater levels at:

• Furness Abbey, increased, from above normal to notably high
• Bruntwood Hall, increased, from above normal to notably high
• Victoria Road, decreased, from normal to below normal

All other sites remained the same classification at:

• Brown Bank Lay-By, classed as normal
• Lea Lane, classed as normal
• Primrose Hill, classed as normal
• Skirwith, classed as normal
• Great Musgrave, classed as exceptionally low
• Richmond Park, classed as exceptionally high
• Prior Heyes, classed as exceptionally high

Please note, levels at Priors Heyes remain high compared to historic levels because the aquifer is recovering from the effects of historically high abstractions.

5. Reservoir storage

Total reservoir stocks for north-west England decreased from 81% at the end of March to 71% at the end of April. This is lower than the average of 90% at this time of year as well as lower than this time last year when total reservoir stocks were 92%.

At the end of April reservoir storage (in terms of percentage) was highest at Crummock water at 100% full and lowest at Rivington at 52%.

The combined storage at Haweswater and Thirlmere was 62% being lower than the 88% average storage at this time of year and lower than last year when storage was 96%. Haweswater storage is the lowest it has been at the end of April since records began in 1980.

Reservoirs kept low for maintenance works include part of the:

• Longdendale system – Audenshaw No.1, Torside
• Rivington system – Anglezarke, and High Bullough
• Bolton supply system – Dingle
• Piethorne Valley system – Norman Hill, Kitcliffe, and Rooden
• Ogden (Barley) system – Ogden Lower, and Ogden Upper
• Barnacre Group system – Barnacre North
• Longridge system - Alston No.1, Alston No.2, and Spade Mill No.2
• Dee (Celyn and Brenig) system – Llyn Celyn
• Dubbs system – Dubbs
• Watergrove system – Watergrove

Author: Cumbria and Lancashire Hydrology Team, hydrology.CMBLNC@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 herein.