Research and analysis

North-west England water situation: July 2026 summary

Updated 12 August 2026

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

Rainfall for north-west England in July was classed as exceptionally low, having received 26% of the long-term average (LTA). Soil Moisture deficit (SMD) was higher than expected for the time of year across north-west England. July monthly mean river flows for north-west England for July were classed between normal and exceptionally low. Groundwater levels decreased slightly since last month at all sites and were classed between notably low and exceptionally high. Total reservoir storage for north-west England has declined compared to July and was marginally lower than average for the time of the year.

2. Rainfall

Rainfall for north-west England during July was classed as exceptionally low, receiving 26% of the LTA. Cumbria and Lancashire (CLA) received 35% of the LTA and Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire (GMMC) received 19% of the LTA, both classed as exceptionally low. This was the second driest July on record for north-west England since records began in 1871.

All hydrological areas in north-west England recorded rainfall classed as exceptionally low, except for the Derwent and Esk (Cumbria) hydrological areas which recorded rainfall classed as notably low. The lowest rainfall totals relative to the LTA were recorded in the Cheshire Rivers Group hydrological area (12% of the LTA) and in the Mersey and Irwell hydrological area (24% of the LTA). The Cheshire Rivers Group hydrological area observed its driest July, and the Mersey and Irwell hydrological area observed it’s second driest since records began in 1871.The highest rainfall values relative to the LTA were recorded in the Derwent (NW) hydrological area (42% of the LTA).

Over the 3-month cumulative period ending in July, rainfall patterns were more spatially variable with higher totals generally observed across CLA. Of the 10 hydrological areas, 1 was classed as notably low, 3 were classed as below normal and 6 were classed as normal.

Over the 6-month cumulative period ending in July, rainfall patterns were again spatially variable with the highest totals observed in the Esk (Cumbria) hydrological area and lowest totals in the Cheshire Rivers Group hydrological area. Of the 10 hydrological areas, 1 was classed as below normal, 5 were classed as normal, 3 were classed as above normal and 1 was classed as notably high.

Over the 12-month cumulative period ending in July, more rainfall was recorded than during the last 3 months and 6 months relative to the LTA. Of the 10 hydrological areas, 3 were classed as normal, 1 was classed as above normal, 3 were classed as notably high and 3 were classed as exceptionally high.

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

Soil moisture deficits (SMD) increased between the end of June and end of July across all hydrological areas in north-west England and were higher than the LTA. The highest deficits were seen in the Ribble, Douglas, Mersey and Irwell, and Cheshire Rivers Group hydrological areas with levels between 101mm and 130mm. With the exception of the Esk (Dumfries), soil moisture deficits in all other hydrological areas had increased to levels between 71mm and 100mm.

4. River flows

River flows in July reflected the spatial patterns in rainfall with lower monthly mean flows observed at sites in Greater Manchester Merseyside and Cheshire, classed between exceptionally low and below normal for July. The monthly mean river flows at sites in Cumbria and Lancashire were classed as between notably low and normal for July. The highest river flows relative to the LTA were on the Mersey at Brinksway with 67% of the LTA and classed as below normal whereas the lowest flows were on the Wyre at St Michaels with 27% of the LTA and classed as below normal. For the 24 indicator sites this month, 6 were classed as exceptionally low, 6 were classed as notably low, 11 were classed as below normal and 1 was classed as normal.

5. Groundwater levels   

Groundwater levels across north-west England at the end of July were classed between below normal and exceptionally high, with absolute levels decreasing between June and July at all sites. Between June and July, a reduction in classifications was seen at Great Musgrave, Priors Heyes, Skirwith and Richmond Park, whilst the classifications remained then same at all other sites:

• Great Musgrave, changed from below normal to notably low
• Priors Heyes, changed from exceptionally high to notably high
• Skirwith, changed from normal to below normal
• Richmond Park, changed from exceptionally high to notably high

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

• Brown Bank Lay-By, classed as above normal
• Bruntwood Hall, classed as normal
• Furness Abbey, classed as exceptionally high
• Lea Lane, classed as above normal
• Primrose Hill, classed as normal
• Victoria Road, classed as notably low

6. Reservoir stocks

Total reservoir storage for north-west England saw a decrease from 81.0% net storage at the end of June to 66.7% net storage at the end of July. This is 4.8% lower than the average of 71.5% for this time of year, and 5.4% higher than this time last year when stocks were at 61.3%.

At the end of July, net reservoir storage (in terms of percentage) was highest at Lake Vyrnwy at 82.1% full, and lowest at Pennies East, at 55.0% full.

The combined net storage at Haweswater and Thirlmere reservoirs decreased from 79.3% at the end of June to 62.5% at the end of July. This is marginally higher than the average of 62.3% for this time of year, and higher than this time last year when stocks were 58.2%.

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 & recreation only reservoirs – Borrans

7. Water abstraction restrictions and environmental impacts

In GMMC, 1 warning was sent out on 24 July, followed by a resume notice on 27 July. A further warning notice, issued on 7 July which remains live. In addition, 1 reduce notice issued on 16 June and 2 warning notices that were sent out on 26 June remained live during July. In CLA, 11 water abstraction licences were issued with stop notices, 2 with warning alerts and 5 with resume alerts in July.

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.