Research and analysis

North-west England water situation: August 2026 summary

Updated 14 September 2026

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

Rainfall for north-west England in August was classed as normal, having received 84% of the long term average (LTA). Soil moisture deficits (SMD) were predominantly higher than expected for the time of year across north-west England, with the exclusion of the Cheshire Rivers Group where the SMD was as expected. August monthly mean river flows for north-west England were classed between exceptionally low and normal. Groundwater levels have decreased slightly at all sites since last month and were classed between notably low and exceptionally high. At the end of August total reservoir storage for north-west England had decreased since the end of July and was lower than average for the time of year.

2. Rainfall

After the exceptionally low rainfall in July periods of heavy rain were recorded across the north-west during August, especially in the second half of the month. Rainfall for north-west England was classed as normal, receiving 84% of the LTA. Cumbria and Lancashire (CLA) received 80% of the LTA while Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire (GMMC) received 104% of the LTA, both classed as normal.

During August every hydrological area across north-west England recorded rainfall classed as normal, except for the Kent which recorded the lowest rainfall total relative to the LTA at 70%, classed as below normal. The highest rainfall relative to the LTA was observed in the Mersey and Irwell hydrological area (106% of the LTA).

Over the 3-month cumulative period ending in August, rainfall patterns were more spatially variable, with higher totals generally observed across CLA and the driest conditions towards the south of GMMC. Of the 10 hydrological areas, one was classed as notably low, 5 as below normal, and 4 as normal.

Over the 6-month cumulative period ending in August, the variation in rainfall totals between CLA and GMMC was more defined, with the highest totals observed in CLA. Of the 10 hydrological areas, one was classed as notably low, 2 as below normal, 6 as normal, and one as above normal.

Over the 12-month cumulative period ending in August, this spatial variability continued with the highest rainfall totals observed in western Cumbria. Of the 10 hydrological areas, 4 were classed as above normal, 2 as notably high and 4 as exceptionally high.

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

As a result of rainfall across north-west England at the end of August, SMD decreased across all hydrological areas when compared with the end of July. Despite this, due to the dry preceding conditions, with the exception of the Cheshire Rivers Group, all hydrological areas recorded higher than average SMD. The highest SMDs were observed across Lancashire and GMMC, with all hydrological areas between 71mm and 100mm.

4. River flows

River flows in August reflected the spatial variability in rainfall, with higher monthly mean flows observed at sites in GMMC, and lower flows at sites in CLA. In CLA, monthly mean flows were classed between exceptionally low and normal, while in GMMC they were classed between below normal and normal. The highest monthly mean river flows relative to the LTA were on the Mersey at Brinksway with 83% of the LTA classed as normal, the lowest flows were on the Lune at Lunes Bridge with 12% of the LTA classed as exceptionally low. For the 25 indicator sites this month, 2 were classed as exceptionally low, 6 as notably low, 9 below normal and 8 classed as normal.

5. Groundwater levels   

Groundwater levels across north-west England at the end of August were classed between notably low and exceptionally high, with absolute levels decreasing between July and August at all sites. Between July and August, only one site changed classification, with Richmond Park decreasing from notably high to above normal.

6. Reservoir stocks

Total reservoir storage for north-west England decreased from 66.7% net storage at the end of July to 50.8% net storage at the end of August. This is 20.9% lower than the average of 71.7% at this time of year and 2% higher than this time last year when stocks were at 48.8%.

At the end of August, net reservoir storage (in terms of percentage) was highest at Lake Vyrnwy at 69.6% full, and lowest at Haweswater at 40.8% full.

The combined net storage at Haweswater and Thirlmere reservoirs decreased from 62.5% at the end of July to 43.4% at the end of August. This is lower than the average of 64.9% for this time of year, and higher than this time last year when stocks were at 42.5%.

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
• Ogden (Barley) System (Ribble Reservoir Supply District) – Ogden (Barley) Lower, and Ogden (Barley) Upper
• Ridgegate System (Stockport Reservoir Supply District) – Ridgegate
• Cumbria Compensation and recreation only reservoirs – Borrans

7. Water abstraction restrictions and environmental impacts

In GMMC, one reduce notice issued on 16 June 2026 remained in force. During August, one warning notice, 3 stop notices and 2 resume notices were issued. In CLA, 4 warning notices, 18 stop notices and one reduce notice were issued during August.

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.