Research and analysis

North-west England water situation: March 2026 summary

Updated 14 April 2026

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

Rainfall for North-west England during March was above normal, having received 136% of the long-term average (LTA). River flows in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire (GMMC) were classed as normal, however flows in Cumbria and northern Lancashire were above normal to notably high. Catchments remain near-saturated across the region. Total reservoir stocks for North-west England have continued to increase and are above average for this time of year.

2. Rainfall

Rainfall across the North-west during March was overall above normal, having received 136% of the long-term average (LTA). There was a clear increasing trend from south to north across the region, with GMMC having received 110% of the LTA, classed as normal, whereas Cumbria and Lancashire received 149% of the LTA, classed as above normal.

Hydrological areas reflected this south-north pattern, with the lowest rainfall recorded in the Cheshire Rivers Group, at 104% of the LTA, classed as normal, with the highest rainfall received in the Derwent, Esk (Cumbria), Wyre and Lune catchments at 160% of the LTA. This is seen similarly in data from the past 12 months, with Cumbria in particular receiving notably high to exceptionally high accumulations, especially in the west. 

The last 6 months, ending March, have been particularly wet across the North-west region, with rainfall classed as notably high to exceptionally high in all but one hydrological area.  

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

Similar to February, soil moisture deficit (SMD) at the end of March was 10mm or less across the entire North-west, showing continued near-saturated conditions in all catchments. SMD is within 5mm of the LTA for this time of year. 

4. River flows

Mimicking the south-north pattern in rainfall across the region, river flows in GMMC and southern Lancashire were classed as normal, however river flows moving north through Lancashire into Cumbria were above normal to notably high. Flows in the River Ellen in Cumbria were notably high, at 151% of the LTA. Flows in the River Wyre in Lancashire were also notably high, at 156% of the LTA. The lowest flow was in the Alt catchment in southern Lancashire, at 76% of the LTA, though still classed as normal.

5. Groundwater levels   

Groundwater level classification at the end of March remained largely unchanged across the North-west compared to the end of February, however Great Musgrave decreased from above normal to normal, and Furness Abbey increased from notably high to exceptionally high. There were three sites at Furness Abbey, Richmond Park and Prior Heyes classed as exceptionally high. One site at Victoria Road on the Formby Coast, which sits within a superficial deposit as opposed to a bedrock aquifer, remained below normal. The remainder of groundwater sites for North-west England were 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 continued to increase from 93.2% at the end of February to 95.2% at the end of March. This is higher than the average of 92.2% for this time of year.

The combined storage at Haweswater and Thirlmere reservoirs continued to increase from 96.9% at the end of February to 99.6% at the end of March. This is higher than the average of 91.3% for this time of year, and higher than last year when stocks were 74.5%.

Thirlmere, as well as the Celyn, Brenig and Vyrnwy reservoirs, were 100% full at the end of March, whereas the lowest reservoir stocks were the Rivington Supply District in Lancashire, at 85.6%, and the Longdendale Supply District in GMMC, at 77.6%.
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
• Ogden (Barley) System (Ribble Reservoir Supply District) – Ogden (Barley) Lower, and Ogden (Barley) Upper
• Ridgegate System (Stockport Reservoir Supply District) – Ridgegate

7. Water abstraction restrictions and environmental impacts

No water abstraction restrictions or environmental incidents related to dry weather occurred across North-west England during March.

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