Research and analysis

North-west England water situation: February 2026 summary

Updated 12 March 2026

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

Rainfall for north-west England during February was classed as normal, having received 111% of the long term average (LTA). Soil moisture deficit (SMD) has risen slightly from the near total saturation at the end of January. River flows have increased in response to the consistent rainfall and all are now classed between normal and notably high. Total reservoir stocks declined slightly at first before recovering to a level higher than the end of January and are now higher than average for the time of year.

2. Rainfall

During February north-west England saw regular light rainfall with some heavier showers dispersed throughout the month. The cumulative rainfall for north-west England for February was classed as normal, at 111% of the LTA. Cumbria observed 101% of the LTA classed as normal. Lancashire observed 109% of the LTA classed as above normal. Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire (GMC) observed 143% of the LTA classed as notably high.

For February hydrological areas across north-west England recorded rainfall classed between normal and notably high, the highest rainfall, (in terms of LTA) was recorded in the Cheshire Rivers Group hydrological area with 158% of the LTA classed as notably high. The lowest rainfall was observed in the Eden with 91% of the LTA.

The 3-month cumulative rainfall period ending in February had rainfall classed between normal and notably high, showing a similar distribution to February with the higher rainfall being seen in Cheshire Rivers Group and across GMC. Higher rainfall was also seen in West Cumbria specifically the Esk (Cumbria) while rainfall in Lancashire and the Eden was classed as normal.

The 6-month cumulative rainfall period ending in February shows much higher rainfall with all but two hydrological areas being classed as exceptionally high. The highest rainfall was observed in Cheshire Rivers Group and the lowest in the Eden and Ribble these hydrological areas were still classed as notably high. For north-west England this was the seventh wettest 6-month cumulative rainfall period ending in February since 1871 and the wettest since 1871 for the Esk (Cumbria).

The 12-month cumulative rainfall period ending in February shows rainfall classed between normal and exceptionally high, CLA being much wetter with all hydrological areas across GMC being classed as normal. The highest cumulative rainfall was observed in the Kent and the lowest in the Mersey and Irwell and the Ribble.

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

By the start of March SMD levels increased across the whole north-west England compared to the near total saturation at the beginning of February. Due to the consistent rainfall, SMD in most areas remains slightly lower than the LTA, all falling within +/-5mm of the LTA.

4. River flows

In response to the consistent rainfall, February average river flows for north-west England have increased compared to January and were classed between normal and notably high. Higher river flows (in terms of LTA) were observed across GMC matching the spatial distribution seen in February’s rainfall.

The highest average flow (in terms of LTA) was observed on the river Weaver at Ashbrook with 186% classed as notably high and the lowest was on the river Derwent at Seaton Mill with 84% of the LTA classed as normal. For the other 23 indicator sites reported this month; 3 were classed as notably high, 7 were classed as above normal and 13 were classed as normal.

5. Groundwater levels   

Groundwater levels across north-west England at the end of February were classed between below normal and exceptionally high. Groundwater levels decreased at Bruntwood hall from above normal to normal and increased at Great Musgrave from normal to above normal.

All other groundwater indicator sites remained the same classification at:

• Brown Bank Lay-By, classed as normal
• Furness Abbey, classed as notably high
• 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 levels at Priors Heyes remain high compared to 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 90% at the end of January to 93% at the start of March. This is slightly higher than the average of 92% at this time of year and higher than last year when stocks were 87%.

At the start of March, reservoir stock (in terms of percentage) was highest at Lake Vyrnwy at 100% full and lowest at Longdendale at 76% full.

The combined storage at Haweswater and Thirlmere was at 97% this is higher than the average of 91% at this time of year and higher than last year when combined stocks were 82%.

Reservoirs kept low for maintenance 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 or environmental incidents related to dry weather occurred across north-west England during February.

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.

Figure 1.5: Storage in Haweswater Reservoir, including the drought levels for the reservoir and storage for the current year (2026) and representative years: 1995, 2022 and 2025 (Source: United Utilities (UU)).

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