Yorkshire water situation: April 2026 summary
Updated 13 May 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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1. Summary
Rainfall was below normal in most catchments this month. River flows reflected this fluctuating between normal to below normal but mostly decreasing overall. Soils were gradually becoming drier throughout the month. Groundwater levels have reduced. Reservoir stocks remained close to capacity, tracking the long term average.
2. Rainfall
For Yorkshire, as a whole, the April monthly mean total rainfall was notably low at less than half of the long term average (LTA). All catchments received less rainfall than the previous month.
Pennines catchments from the Swale to the Aire, as well as the Rye, had below normal rainfall that was 35% to 53% of the LTA. The Calder, Don, Esk and Derwent had notably low rainfall, 30% to 42% of the LTA. Only the Hull and Humber catchment reported normal monthly rainfall totals of 60% of the LTA.
Most of the rainfall occurred prior to day 18. Across Yorkshire wet periods were recorded on days 2 to 4, day 11 and days 14 to 15. It was then largely dry from day 18 until month end.
3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge
In April soils started the month as wet and gradually became drier as the month progressed. By week 3 soil moisture deficit had increased to the normal range, apart from in the most western parts of the Pennine catchments which were still classified as wet.
4. River flows
In the central and northern Pennine catchments and North Yorkshire Moors, April monthly mean flows were normal at between 33% to 74% of the LTA. Flows in the Don, Rother and Derwent were below normal, between 38% to 57% of the LTA. In the Hull flows were normal, but were 99% of the LTA.
In the Upper Pennine catchments flows began the month in normal range. In response to rainfall there were occasional periods were flows temporarily increased in the first 17 days of the month. From day 18 flows in these catchments continued to decline. By day 25 both the Swale and Ure had reduced to below normal range and the Wharfe and Aire had done so by day 29.
In eastern Yorkshire, flows in the Esk, Rye and Derwent started the month as normal. In the first 17 days flows were generally reducing but remained within the normal range. In the Derwent there were short periods where flow reduced to below normal on day 10 and days 13 to 14. Flows in these catchments continued to decline and remained in below normal range from day 24 until month end.
In the West Beck flows steadily receded throughout the month, whilst remaining within normal range for April.
In the south of Yorkshire flows in the Don and Rother catchments started the month within normal range and reduced to below normal range day 5. Between days 15 to 17 flows responded to rainfall returning to normal. By day 18 flows were consistently below normal and reduced to notably low for the last 2 days of the month.
5. Groundwater levels
5.1 Magnesian Limestone
The groundwater level in the Magnesian Limestone decreased at Brick House Farm and was at above normal for the time of year.
5.2 Millstone Grit
The groundwater level in the Millstone Grit decreased at Hill Top Farm and was notably low for the time of year. It should be noted that this observation borehole is used for water abstraction by means of a pump. Therefore, the groundwater level recorded here may be subject to the effects of this.
5.3 Sherwood Sandstone
The groundwater level in the Sherwood Sandstone decreased at Great Ouseburn and was above normal for the time of year. The groundwater level decreased at Riccall Approach Farm and was normal for the time of year.
5.4 Corallian Limestone
The groundwater level in the Corallian Limestone decreased at Sproxton and was normal for the time of year.
5.5 Chalk
The groundwater level decreased at Wetwang and was below normal for the time of year. The groundwater level decreased at Dalton Estate Well and was above normal for the time of year.
6. Reservoir stocks
Reservoir stocks continued to remain close to full capacity with only small weekly variations of less than 1% across the 4 weeks. Reservoir stocks remain close to the LTA for April.
7. Environmental impact
At the end of the month there was a single abstraction licence with a hands-off flow condition in force and another 22 licence holders have been given advanced warnings that flows were low.
Author: Environment Agency, hydrology.northeast@environment-agency.gov.uk
Contact Details: 020 847 48174
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.