Research and analysis

North-west England water situation: May 2026 summary

Updated 11 June 2026

Applies to England

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

Rainfall for north-west England in May was within the normal range, having received 95% of the long term average (LTA). Soil moisture deficits (SMD) varied across the region, with higher than expected values in the south and lower than average values in the Esk (Cumbria) and Kent hydrological areas. Monthly mean river flows for May were generally as expected for this time of year, with the exception of four sites across the region which were classified as below normal. Total reservoir stocks for North-west England have decreased and are slightly below average for this time of year.

1. Rainfall

Rainfall across the north-west in May was classed as normal, having received 95% of the LTA. Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire (GMMC) received 106% of the LTA, and Cumbria and Lancashire (CLA) received 100% of LTA, both of which are classed as normal. The lowest rainfall totals relative to the LTA were recorded in the Esk (Dumfries) hydrological area, while the highest values were recorded in the Douglas hydrological area.

Over the 3-month cumulative period ending in May, a clear north-south divide in rainfall can be observed with drier conditions in south Lancashire and GMMC areas. The Kent and Esk (Cumbria) hydrological areas experienced the highest rainfall totals, both of which falling into the notably high classification.

The 6-month cumulative period ending in May was wetter than the long term average in all hydrological areas with the exception of the Ribble hydrological area. All other areas recorded rainfall totals classed as above normal except for the Kent and Esk (Cumbria) hydrological areas which observed notably high and exceptionally high rainfall respectively.

Over the 12-month cumulative period ending in May, a north-south spatial pattern remained apparent, with rainfall in the northern hydrological areas classed as exceptionally high, except for the Esk (Dumfries) hydrological area, which recorded notably high rainfall totals. In contrast, the southern areas recorded rainfall totals classed as above normal. For Cumbria, the 12‑month period ending in May was the second wettest on record. Over the same period, rainfall totals were the highest on record for Esk (Cumbria), second highest for Kent and third highest for Derwent (North West).

2. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

At the end of May, soil moisture deficit (SMD) ranged from 10mm or less to 100mm across north-west England. In the 3 southernmost hydrological areas – Cheshire Rivers Group, Mersey and Irwell and Douglas, SMD was between 26mm and 50mm above the LTA. SMD in the Ribble hydrological area was between 6mm and 25mm above the LTA. SMD was between 6mm and 25mm below the LTA in the Kent and Esk (Cumbria) hydrological areas, and the lowest in absolute terms in the latter (equal to or less than 10mm).

3. River flows

In May, the majority of sites recorded normal monthly mean river flows for this time of year. Of the 25 sites, 21 were classed as normal and 4 as below normal. Corresponding to spatial patterns, lower flows were recorded in the north (expressed as a percentage of the LTA). Of the 4 sites that recorded notably low flows, 2 were in Cumbria: in the Derwent at Seaton Mill (43% of LTA) and the Lower Eden at Sheepmount. The other 2 sites were the Tame at Portwood and the Bollin at Bollington Mill in Greater Manchester and Cheshire, respectively. The highest flows relative to the LTA were recorded at the Upper Mersey at Brinksway (108%).

4. Groundwater levels   

Groundwater levels across north-west England at the end of May were classed between below normal and exceptionally high. Groundwater levels increased at Lea Lane, from normal to above normal

All other groundwater indicator sites remained at the same classification:

• Brown Bank Lay-By, classed as above normal
• Bruntwood Hall, classed as above normal
• Furness Abbey, classed as exceptionally high
• Great Musgrave, classed as 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 below normal

5. Reservoir stocks

Total reservoir storage for north-west England saw a decrease from 91.9% at the end of April to 83.3% at the end of May. This is slightly lower than the average of 83.9% for this time of year, and higher than this time last year when stocks were at 60.5%.

At the end of May, reservoir storage (in terms of percentage) was highest at Lake Vyrnwy at 96.1% full, and lowest at Rivington, at 69.3% full.

The combined storage at Haweswater and Thirlmere reservoirs decreased from 95.9% at the end of April to 80.5% at the end of May. This is higher than the average of 73.3% for this time of year, and higher than this time last year when stocks were 47.1%.

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 May (2 of which were sent resumes in May, the rest were sent resumes in June). In GMMC, one water abstraction licence was issued with a reduce notice in May. There were no reported environmental incidents related to dry weather across north-west England.

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.