Research and analysis

North-west England water situation: January 2026 summary

Updated 17 February 2026

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

Rainfall for north-west England during January was classed as normal, having received 80% of the long term average (LTA). Soil moisture deficit (SMD) has continued to remain saturated across north-west England. In response to the rainfall, river flows have broadly declined and most were classed between normal and below normal, except the Glaze Brook catchment, which was classed as notably low. Total reservoir stocks had initially declined compared to December, but has recovered during January, total stocks was the same as the average for this time of the year.

2. Rainfall

January saw varied rainfall across north-west England, temporally, with 60% of the month’s rainfall occurring between 10 and 21 January; and spatially, with indicator sites recording between 53% to 131% of their LTA.

At the end of January, rainfall for north-west England was classed as normal, at 80% of the LTA. Cumbria observed 80%, Lancashire 75%, and Greater Manchester, Merseyside, and Cheshire (GMC) 98% of their LTAs, all classed as normal.

All hydrological areas in January were classed as normal, with the highest rainfall (in terms of the LTA) being the Cheshire Rivers Group hydrological area which received 116% of the LTA, and the lowest being the Ribble, and the Wyre and Lune hydrological areas which received 73% of their LTAs. Broadly, hydrological areas in Cumbria and Lancashire (CLA) received less rainfall than hydrological areas in GMC.

During the 3-month cumulative period ending in January, the coastal hydrological areas of Cumbria were overall wetter than the rest of north-west England, reflecting the predominant path taken by low-pressure systems took during the period. These coastal hydrological areas – namely the Esk (Dumfries), the Derwent, the Esk (Cumbria), and the Kent hydrological areas were all classed as exceptionally high. The Ribble hydrological area was the driest, and the only hydrological area classed as normal. All other hydrological areas were classed between above normal to notably high.

The 6-month cumulative rainfall period ending in January, sees a broadly similar trend, with hydrological areas in Cumbria, and Cheshire being wetter and classified as notably high to exceptionally high, whereas hydrological areas in Lancashire, Greater Manchester, and Merseyside, were all classed as above normal.

Notably, this was the second wettest 6-month cumulative period ending in January for the Esk (Cumbria) hydrological area, at 1447mm, 31mm less than the record in 1955.

The 12-month cumulative rainfall totals reflect how wet Cumbria was despite the dry weather in spring 2025. All hydrological areas in Cumbria and also the Wyre and Lune were classed between above normal and exceptionally high. All other hydrological areas in north-west England were classified as normal.

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

Rainfall recorded during the latter half of January resulted in SMD level remaining saturated across north-west England. At the start of February, SMD levels ranged from 0mm to 1mm. This is lower than or near expected for the time of year for the whole of north-west England.

4. River flows

Please note that monthly mean flows recoded at the River Lune at Caton gauging station have not been included in this report due to missing data.

Mean river flows for January declined compared to flows in December in response to the reduction in rainfall. The spatial distribution of January’s rainfall is also reflected in the river flows, with catchments across Lancashire, and Northern Manchester generally recording lower mean river flows than elsewhere.

River flows were highest (in terms of percentage of the LTA) in the Weaver catchment at Ashbrook (116% of the LTA, classed as normal), and lowest in the Hodder catchment at Hodder Place (53% of the LTA, classed as below normal).

For the other 22 indicator sites reported this month:

• 11 sites were classed as normal
• 10 sites were classed as below normal
• 1 site was classed as notably low

5. Groundwater levels   

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

• Victoria Road, from normal to below normal
• Furness Abbey, from exceptionally high to notably high

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

• Brown Bank Lay-By, classed as normal
• Bruntwood Hall, classed as above normal
• 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

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 had remained the same at 90% at the end of January, as it was at the end of December. This is the same as the average of this time of the year, and higher than this time last year when total reservoir stocks were 85%.

At the end of January, reservoir storage (in terms of percentage) was highest at Lake Vyrnwy at 100% full, and lowest (in terms of percentage) at the Ribble Supply District, which was 74% full.

The combined storage at Haweswater and Thirlmere was at 91%. This is higher than the average of 88% for this time of the year, and higher than this time last year when the storage was 74%.

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

Six water abstraction restrictions were issued in CLA during the first part of January, all of which were subsequently rescinded in mid-January when rainfall led to recovery in river levels. No water abstraction restrictions were issued in GMC.

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