Research and analysis

North-west England water situation: September 2026 summary

Updated 14 October 2026

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

Rainfall for north-west England in September was classed as normal, having received 99% of the long term average (LTA). Soil moisture deficit (SMD) was higher than expected for the time of year, except for the Esk (Dumfries) and Derwent hydrological areas where the SMD at the end of September was lower than the LTA. September monthly mean river flows for north-west England were classed between below normal and normal. Groundwater levels decreased at most sites since last month and were classed between notably low and notably high. At the end of September total reservoir storage for north-west England had increased since the end of August, however remains lower than average for the time of year.

2. Rainfall

Rainfall for north-west England was classed as normal, receiving 99% of the LTA. Cumbria and Lancashire (CLA) received 116% of the LTA while Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire (GMMC) received 99% of the LTA, both classed as normal.

During September, every hydrological area across north-west England recorded rainfall classed as normal, except for the Esk (Cumbria) which recorded the highest rainfall total relative to the LTA at 129%, classed as above normal. The Kent also received 129% of the September LTA, however was classed as normal. The lowest rainfall relative to the LTA was observed in the Eden hydrological area at 94% of the LTA, classed as normal.

Over the 3-month cumulative period ending in September, rainfall patterns were more spatially variable, with higher rainfall totals generally observed in hydrological areas in the west of Cumbria. Of the 10 hydrological areas, 2 were classed as notably low, 6 as below normal, and 2 as normal.

Over the 6-month cumulative period ending in September, the variation in rainfall totals between CLA and GMMC was more defined, with the highest totals generally observed in CLA. Of the 10 hydrological areas, one was classed as notably low, 2 as below normal, and 7 as normal.

Over the 12-month cumulative period ending in September, this spatial variability continued with the highest rainfall totals observed across CLA, particularly in hydrological areas in the west of Cumbria. Of the 10 hydrological areas, 4 were classed as normal, 3 as above normal, and 3 as exceptionally high.

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

As a result of rainfall across north-west England, at the end of September SMD decreased across all hydrological areas when compared with the end of August. Despite this, due to the dry preceding conditions, except for the Esk (Dumfries) and Derwent, all hydrological areas across north-west England recorded higher than average SMD. The highest SMDs were observed across Lancashire and GMMC, with the Cheshire Rivers Group hydrological area ending September with an SMD between 71mm and 100mm.   

4. River flows

River flows in September reflected the spatial variability in rainfall, with higher monthly mean flows relative to the LTA observed at sites located in the west of Cumbria. In CLA, monthly mean flows were all classed as normal, while in GMMC they were classed between below normal and normal. The highest monthly mean river flows relative to the LTA were on the Esk at Cropple How with 126% of the LTA classed as normal, while the lowest flows were on the Bollin at Bollington Hall with 59% of the LTA classed as below normal. For the 25 indicator sites this month, except for the Bollin at Bollington Mill, which was classed as below normal, indicator sites across north-west England were classed as normal.

5. Groundwater levels   

Groundwater levels across north-west England at the end of September were classed between notably low and notably high, with absolute levels decreasing between August and September at most sites. Between August and September, only 2 sites changed classification, with Furness Abbey decreasing from exceptionally high to notably high and Lea Lane decreasing from above normal to normal.

6. Reservoir stocks

Total reservoir storage for north-west England increased from 50.8% net storage at the end of August to 52.9% net storage at the end of September. This is 18.6% lower than the average of 71.5% at this time of year and 12.0% lower than this time last year when stocks were at 64.9%.

At the end of September, net reservoir storage (in terms of percentage) was highest at Lake Vyrnwy at 70.4% full, and lowest at Haweswater at 36.7% full.

The combined net storage at Haweswater and Thirlmere reservoirs decreased from 43.4% at the end of August to 42.3% at the end of September. This is lower than the average of 62.3% for this time of year, and lower than this time last year when stocks were at 58.0%.

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
• Bolton Supply System (Pennines West Reservoir Supply District) – Dingle

7. Water abstraction restrictions and environmental impacts

In GMMC, there was one water abstraction alert issued during September with a reduce notice, whereas in CLA there were no water abstraction alerts or restrictions.

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

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.