Wessex water situation: March 2024 summary
Updated 15 April 2024
Applies to England
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1. Summary
March was largely a continuation of the very wet weather of February. An average of 125mm rain fell in March, which is 178% of the long term average (LTA). This made March 2024 the ninth wettest since records began in 1871. The last 6 months have been the wettest 6 month period (October to March) since records began. Soil moisture deficit (SMD) remained close to zero throughout March. Monthly mean river flows were notably or exceptionally high across the area. Additionally, all groundwater monitoring sites in Wessex recorded exceptionally high levels at the end of March. During the month, reservoir levels for Wessex Water were close to 100%. Bristol Water’s reservoir levels decreased slightly during the month from near 100% down to approximately 96%.
2. Rainfall
Wessex received an average of 125mm of rainfall during March (178% of the LTA) which is exceptionally high for the time of year. Rainfall peaked towards the end of the month with approximately 60% of the March LTA rainfall occurring between 26 and 28 March. A total of 104% LTA rainfall for the whole month fell at South Tidworth on these 3 days.
Overall March 2024 was the ninth wettest since records began in 1871. However given the high rainfall of the last few months, this year had the third wettest 3 month period (January to March) and the wettest 6 month period on record (October to March). The last 12 months (April to March) was also the third wettest on record. Most hydrological areas in the east of Wessex experienced exceptionally high rainfall while most in west Wessex experienced notably high rainfall. Over the longer term, all hydrological areas of Wessex received exceptionally high rainfall for the last 3, 6 and 12 months.
3. Soil moisture
SMD levels remained close to zero for all of March and at the end of the month it was very close to zero for all areas of Wessex and somewhat lower than the LTA for most of the area.
4. River flows
The monthly mean flows across all sites in Wessex were either exceptionally or notably high in March 2024. This month marked the highest mean monthly flows recorded during March since records began for several monitored sites. Omitting sites with data issues, the sites with record-breaking flows were the Upper Brue at Lovington; the Yeo at Pen Mill; the Upper Hampshire Avon at Amesbury; the River Wylye at South Newton; the Middle Hampshire Avon at East Mills Combined; the Middle Stour at Hammoon; Sydling Water at Sydling St Nicholas; and the Asker at Bridport East Bridge.
After a very wet February, most flow sites in north Wessex began the month with exceptionally high flows while those in south Wessex had either notably high or above normal daily mean flows. By the end of March, most sites had notably or exceptionally high daily mean flows with the single exception of the River Isle at Ashford Mill which was above normal. The majority of daily mean flows were falling at the end of March.
5. Groundwater levels
All groundwater monitoring sites in Wessex ended March with exceptionally high levels. Due to the high rainfall over the last couple of months, Didmarton, Chitterne Down, Oakley Industrial Estate and Kingston Russell Road all experienced their highest monthly mean values recorded during March since their respective records began. All groundwater sites except for Delcombe (due to missing data) and Over Compton had rising levels at the end of the month.
6. Reservoir stocks
The reservoir levels remained close to 100% capacity during March for Wessex Water which is very similar to levels this time last year. Bristol Water’s levels also began the month close to 100% but decreased slightly during the month, ending at approximately 96% capacity which is slightly lower than the end of March last year.
Author: Wessex Hydrology, hydrologywessex@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 in this report.