Research and analysis

North-west England water situation: April 2026 summary

Updated 13 May 2026

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

Rainfall for north-west England during April was classed as normal, having received 78% of the long term average (LTA). Soil moisture deficits (SMD) were higher than expected for the time of year across north-west England. April monthly mean river flows for north-west England were generally as expected for the time of year, with the majority classed as normal, but ranging from below normal to above normal. Total reservoir storage for north-west England has declined compared to March, but still remains higher than average for the time of the year.

2. Rainfall

Rainfall for north-west England during April was classed as normal, receiving 78% of the LTA. Cumbria and Lancashire (CLA) received 84% of the LTA classed as normal and Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire (GMMC) received 54% of the LTA, classed as below normal.

North-west England saw a clear north-south spatial trend for April rainfall, being wetter in the north, and drier in southern areas. All hydrological areas south of the Wyre and Lune were classed as below normal, with areas to the north classed as normal. The lowest rainfall (in terms of the LTA) was recorded in the Cheshire Rivers Group at 46% of the LTA, classed as below normal. The highest rainfall (in terms of the LTA) was recorded in the Esk (Dumfries) hydrological area at 103% of the LTA, classed as normal.

During the 3-month cumulative period ending in April, a similar trend in rainfall can be observed with drier areas in south Lancashire and GMMC. West Cumbrian hydrological areas along with the Lune and Wyre saw the most rainfall, classed as notably high.

The 6-month cumulative period ending in April was wetter than expected, with all hydrological areas receiving rainfall classed between above normal and exceptionally high. Notably, this was the third wettest 6-month cumulative period ending in April on record for Cumbria, at 1017mm. It was also the third wettest 6-month period ending in April on record for the Esk (Cumbria), Derwent and Kent hydrological areas.

Over the 12-month cumulative period ending in April, a north-south spatial pattern was observed, with rainfall in northern hydrological areas classed as exceptionally high and in southern areas classed as above normal. The exception to this was the Douglas hydrological area which was classed as normal. For Cumbria, this was the third wettest 12-month cumulative period ending in April on record. The same 12-month period was also the wettest on record for the Esk (Cumbria), and second wettest on record for the Derwent and Kent hydrological areas.

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

SMDs across north-west England by the end of April ranged from 18mm to 47mm. For all hydrological areas, this was higher than expected for the time of year, when compared to the LTA. The largest deficit was seen in the Cheshire Rivers Group hydrological area, where the SMD was 22.8mm higher than the LTA.

4. River flows

In April, the majority of sites recorded normal monthly mean river flows for the time of year. Of the 25 sites, 21 were classed as normal, 3 sites above normal and one site below normal. Corresponding to spatial rainfall trends, lower flows were generally observed to the south, with the lowest flows at Kirkby in the Alt catchment, at 64% of the LTA. Monthly mean river flows were generally higher in north Lancashire and Cumbria, with the highest flows seen at Pooley Bridge in the Eamont catchment, at 158% of the LTA.

5. Groundwater levels   

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

• Brown Bank Lay-By, from normal to above normal
• Bruntwood Hall, from normal to above normal

All other groundwater indicator sites remained at the same classification at:

• Furness Abbey, classed as exceptionally high
• Great Musgrave, classed as normal
• Lea Lane, classed as normal
• Primrose Hill, classed as normal
• Priors Heyes, classed as exceptionally high
• Skirwith, classed as normal
• Richmond Park, classed as exceptionally high
• Victoria Road, classed as below normal

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

6. Reservoir storage

Total reservoir storage for north-west England saw a slight decrease from 95% at the end of March, to 92% at the end of April. This is higher than the average of 88% for this time of the year, and higher than this time last year when total reservoir storage was 71%.

At the end of April, reservoir storage (in terms of percentage) was highest at Lake Vyrnwy at 98% full, and lowest at Longendale, at 74% full.

The combined storage at Haweswater and Thirlmere was at 96%. This is higher than the average of 85% for this time of the year, and higher than this time last year when the storage was 62%.

Reservoirs kept low for maintenance works include parts of the:

• Longridge System (Ribble Reservoir Supply District) – Alston No.1, Alston No.2, Spade Mill No.1, and Spade Mill No.2
• Rivington System (Rivington Reservoir Supply District) – Anglezarke, High Bullough, and Yarrow
• Longdendale System (Longdendale Reservoir Supply District) – Audenshaw No.1, Torside, and Woodhead
• Barnacre Group (Ribble Reservoir Supply District) – Barnacre North, and Barnacre South
• Cowpe System (Pennines West Reservoir Supply District) – Cragg
• Cowm System (Longdendale Reservoir Supply District) – Cowm
• Poaka Beck System (Lakes Reservoir Supply District) – Harlock
• Piethorne Valley System (Pennines East Reservoir Supply District) – Kitcliffe
• Ogden (Barley) System (Ribble Reservoir Supply District) – Ogden (Barley) Lower, and Ogden (Barley) Upper
• Ridgegate System (Stockport Reservoir Supply District) – Ridgegate

7. Water abstraction restrictions and environmental impacts

In CLA, 5 water abstraction licences were issued with warnings or stop notices in April. In GMMC, one water abstraction licence was issued with a reduce notice. There were no reported environmental incidents related to dry weather across north-west England.

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.

Author: Cumbria and Lancashire Hydrology Team, hydrology.CMBLNC@environment-agency.gov.uk