Research and analysis

North-west England water situation: July 2025 summary

Updated 12 August 2025

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

Rainfall for north-west England during July was classed as normal, receiving 97% of the long-term average (LTA). Higher rainfall totals were observed in Cumbria and Lancashire (CLA) compared to Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire (GMMC). Soil moisture deficit (SMD) was higher in GMMC compared to CLA. Monthly mean river flows in CLA were normal to exceptionally high, however were notably low to exceptionally low in some catchments in GMMC. Groundwater levels remain steady, most ranging from normal to exceptionally high. Total reservoir stocks at the end of July for north-west England were 61.3%, remaining lower than average for this time of year. Some warnings and notices were issued to water abstraction licences across the north-west due to low river flows, however no environmental impacts were reported.

2. Rainfall

Rainfall for north-west England during July was classed as normal, receiving 97% of the LTA. CLA received 107% of the LTA and was classed as normal, however GMMC received less rainfall, at 79% of the LTA (though this was still classed as normal).

For most individual hydrological areas within the north-west, rainfall was classed as normal - except for the River Douglas catchment, which was classed as below normal, having received only 60% of the LTA.

Looking back at the past 6 months, spanning February to the end of July, GMMC has experienced its fifth driest 6-month period ending July since 1871. This was particularly notable in the Mersey and Irwell, and Douglas catchments, which experienced their fifth and sixth driest 6-month periods ending July since 1871 respectively. This was largely due to the notably low rainfall in GMMC in both April and March (35 to 37% LTA respectively).

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

There is a clear north-south divide in SMD across the north-west. In Cumbria, SMD is 11 to 40mm, which is up to 25mm lower than the LTA for the northern part of Cumbria, and up to 5mm lower than the LTA for the southern part of Cumbria. This is owed to the wet weather in Cumbria in June, which allowed some recharge. SMD increases to 41 to 70mm in the Wyre and Lune catchment in the northern part of Lancashire, 6 to 25mm greater than the LTA. It increases further to 71 to 100mm in the Ribble catchment, in the southern part of Lancashire, which is 26 to 50mm greater than the LTA. Finally, in GMMC, SMD is the highest at 101 to 130mm widespread, 26 to 50mm higher than the LTA for July.

4. River flows

During July, monthly mean river flows in Cumbria were largely above normal, with values notably high in the Kent, Leven and Derwent catchments. Flow was exceptionally high in the River Ellen catchment in north Cumbria, at 284% of the LTA. In Lancashire, river flows were primarily normal. However, in GMMC, river flows dropped to notably low in the Mersey, Irwell, Bollin and Glaze catchments, and exceptionally low in the Sankey catchment at 48% of LTA.

5. Groundwater levels   

Groundwater levels across the north-west predominately ranged from normal to exceptionally high, apart from Victoria Road in GMMC which was below normal, and Great Musgrave in Cumbria, which was exceptionally low. Please note, 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

At the end of July, the total reservoir stocks for north-west England were 61.3%, decreasing slightly compared to the end of June. Reservoir stocks are still lower than average for this time of year, at 89.7% of the July LTA.

Haweswater and Thirlmere stocks are at 58.6%, decreasing slightly compared to the end of June. This is about normal for this time of year at 100.4% of the July LTA. Storage in Haweswater particularly was 58.2%, stabilising after a period of recovery in June. Haweswater stocks were 4.8% above drought level 1 and 13.7% above drought level 2 at the end of July.

Stocks in the Pennines Combined supply district continues to decline and was 41.2% at the end of July. This is lower than normal for this time of year at 79.3% of the July LTA.

July stocks in Celyn and Brenig, and Vyrnwy, were 74.4% and 87.3% respectively, decreasing compared to the end of June. This is lower than normal for this time of year at 76.2% of the July LTA.

Reservoirs kept low for maintenance works include parts of the:

• Lakes supply district – Dubbs
• Ribble supply district – Alston No. 2, Spade Mill No.1, Spade Mill No. 2, Ogden (Barley) Lower, Ogden (Barley) Upper
• Rivington supply district – Anglezarke, High Bullough, Yarrow
• Longdendale supply district – Audenshaw No. 1, Cowm, Torside, Woodhead
• Pennines combined supply district – Cragg, Dingle, Kitcliffe
• Stockport supply district - Ridgegate

7. Water abstraction restrictions and environmental impacts

In CLA, four water abstraction licences were issued with warnings or stop notices due to low river flows in July – 3 remain active. In GMMC, one ‘reduce’ notice and one warning were issued due to low flows. No environmental incidents due to low flows have been reported for July.

Please note, 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