Research and analysis

North-west England water situation: December 2025 summary

Updated 14 January 2026

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

Rainfall for north-west England during December was classed as above normal, having received 118% of the long-term average (LTA). In response to this, soil moisture deficit has continued to remain saturated across Cumbria and Lancashire (CLA) and Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire (GMMC). As in November, river flows during December were predominantly between exceptionally high and notably high across Cumbria. Parts of Cheshire, particularly the Dane and Weaver catchments also experienced exceptionally high flows. Elsewhere in north-west England, river flows ranged from normal to notably high. Total reservoir stocks for north-west England have continued to see recovery, and most reservoirs are now at or near their average levels for this time of the year. 

2. Rainfall

Rainfall for north-west England during December was classed as above normal receiving 118% of the LTA. CLA and GMMC received 123% and 113% of the LTA respectively, both classed as above normal.

North-west England recorded rainfall ranging from normal to exceptionally high during December. The lowest rainfall (in terms of LTA) was recorded in the Douglas and Ribble hydrological areas, each receiving 97% of the LTA. The highest rainfall (in terms of LTA) was recorded in the Esk (Cumbria) hydrological area with 157% of the LTA.

Looking at the past 3-month cumulative, rainfall totals have ranged from above normal (only in the Ribble hydrological area) to exceptionally high (in the Esk and Kent hydrological areas). All other hydrological areas received totals classed as notably high.

The 6-month cumulative rainfall shows a contrast between Cumbria and Northern Lancashire and Southern Lancashire and GMMC. Rainfall totals in the former were classed between exceptionally high and notably high, while rainfall totals in the latter were all classed as above normal.

The north south divide was also observed in the 12-month cumulative rainfall. Apart from the Esk hydrological area (classed as normal), rainfall in all other hydrological areas in the Cumbria and northern Lancashire was classed between above normal and exceptionally high. All hydrological areas in southern Lancashire and GMMC were classed as normal.

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

Soil moisture deficits across north-west England by the end of December remained below or equal to 10mm. For all hydrological areas, this was between -5mm to 5mm from the respective LTAs for December.

4. River flows

In December, monthly mean river flows across north-west England ranged from normal to exceptionally high. Similar to the spatial pattern in rainfall over December, the highest river flow was found across Cumbria and Cheshire. River flows were highest (in terms of percentage of the LTA) in the Duddon catchment at Duddon Hall (186% of the LTA, classed as exceptionally high), and lowest in the Alt catchment at Kirkby (106% of the LTA, classed as normal).

Please note that data for Causey Bridges on the River Sankey in Cheshire was unavailable for December due to a fault at the station.

5. Groundwater levels   

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

Compared to the end of November, groundwater levels showed the following changes:

• Great Musgrave: decreasing from above normal to normal.
• Victoria Road: increasing from below normal to normal.

All other indicator sites remained at the same classification at:

• Brown Bank Lay-By: classed as normal
• Primrose Hill: classed as normal
• Priors Heyes: classed as exceptionally high
• Skirwith: classed as normal
• Victoria Road: classed as below normal
• Furness Abbey: classed as exceptionally high
• Bruntwood Hall: classed as above normal
• Lea Lane: classed as normal
• Richmond Park: classed as exceptionally high

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 stocks

Total reservoir stocks for north-west England increased from 85% at the end of November to 89% at the end of December. This is higher than the average of 88% at this time of the year, and higher than this time last year when total reservoir stock was 83%.

At the end of December, reservoir stock (in terms of percentage) was highest at Lake Vyrnwy at 100% full and lowest (in terms of percentage) at Ribble Supply District, which was 73% full.

The combined storage at Haweswater and Thirlmere was at 94%. This is higher than the average of 84% for this time of the year, and higher than this time last year when the stock was 72%.

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
• Stocks System (Ribble Reservoir Supply District) – Stocks

7. Water abstraction restrictions and environmental impacts

No water abstraction restrictions were applied across CLA or GMMC during December. Additionally, there has been no reported environmental incidents related to dry weather across north-west England.

Author: Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire Hydrology Team, hydrology.GMMYCH@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.