Research and analysis

North-west England water situation: June 2026 summary

Updated 14 July 2026

Applies to England

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

Rainfall for north-west England in June was classed as above normal, having received 125% of the long term average (LTA). Soil moisture deficit (SMD) varies across all hydrological areas, with higher deficits observed in the south. River flows have increased in response to the rainfall and are classed between normal and exceptionally high. Groundwater levels have risen slightly since last month at most sites and are classed between notably low and exceptionally high. Total reservoir stocks declined between the end of May and the end of June but remain higher than average for the time of year and this time last year.

1. Rainfall

During June, north-west England saw most of the rainfall falling within the first half of the month, with a predominantly dry second half of the month. Rainfall across the north-west in June was classed as above normal, having received 125% of the LTA. Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire (GMMC) received 95% of the LTA and classed as normal, whereas Cumbria and Lancashire (CLA) received 137% of LTA and was classed as notably high. The lowest rainfall totals relative to the LTA were recorded in the Cheshire Rivers Group hydrological area (90% of the LTA), while the highest values were recorded in the Esk (Cumbria) hydrological area (161% of the LTA).

Over the 3-month cumulative period ending in June, rainfall patterns were broadly similar to June, with higher rainfall totals in the north. Of the 10 hydrological areas, 5 were classed as normal, 4 were classed as above normal and 1 was classed as notably high.

The 6-month cumulative period ending in June rainfall showed a similar north to south rainfall pattern as the 3-months cumulative and June. Of the 10 hydrological areas, 4 were classed as normal, 3 were classed as above normal, 2 were classed as notably high and one was classed as exceptionally high.

Over the 12-month cumulative period ending in June, rainfall has been wetter than the last 3 months and 6 months. Of the 10 hydrological areas, one was classed as normal, 3 were classed as above normal, 2 classed as notably high and 4 were classed as exceptionally high.

2. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

SMDs have increased between the end of May and end of June across all hydrological areas in north-west England. The highest deficits were seen in Cheshire River Group with levels between 101mm and 130mm, whereas in Cumbria, all hydrological areas were between 11mm and 40mm.

3. River flows

River flows in June reflect the spatial patterns in rainfall with higher flows observed at sites in Cumbria and Lancashire, which were classed between normal and exceptionally high. The flows at sites in Greater Manchester Merseyside and Cheshire were all classed as normal for June. The highest river flows relative to the LTA were on the Esk (Cumbria) at Cropple How with 257% of the LTA and classed as exceptionally high whereas the lowest flows were at Weaver at Ashbrook with 67% of the LTA and classed as normal. For the 24 indicator sites this month, 11 were classed as normal, 5 were classed as above normal, 7 were classed as notably high and one was classed as exceptionally high.

4. Groundwater levels   

Groundwater levels across north-west England at the end of June were classed between below normal and exceptionally high, with absolute levels increasing between May and June at all sites except Lea Lane. Between May and June, a drop in the classifications was seen at Great Musgrave and Victoria Road, whilst the classifications remained then same at all other sites:

• Great Musgrave, changed from normal to below normal
• Victoria Road, changed from below normal to notably low

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

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

5. Reservoir stocks

Total reservoir storage for north-west England saw a decrease from 83.3% net storage at the end of May to 81.0% net storage at the end of June, which includes a slight recovery in the first half of June. This is 5.4% higher than the average of 75.6% for this time of year, and 21% higher than this time last year when stocks were at 60.0%.

At the end of June, net reservoir storage (in terms of percentage) was highest at Lake Vyrnwy at 94.4% full, and lowest at Rivington, at 63.6% full.

The combined net storage at Haweswater and Thirlmere reservoirs decreased from 80.5% at the end of May to 79.3% at the end of June. This is higher than the average of 67.8% for this time of year, and higher than this time last year when stocks were 57.8%.

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 and recreation only reservoirs – Borrans

6. Water abstraction restrictions and environmental impacts

In CLA, 5 water abstraction licences were issued with stop notices in June. In GMMC, one water abstraction licence was issued with a reduced notice, 2 licenses with early warning notices and one license with a further warning notice. There were no reported environmental incidents related to dry weather across north-west England.

Author: Cumbria and Lancashire Hydrology Team, Hydrology.CMBLNC@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.