Research and analysis

Yorkshire water situation: August 2025 summary

Updated 12 September 2025

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

Rainfall in Yorkshire this month was well below average for the time of year. River flows were exceptionally low in most catchments, and many sites recorded new lowest mean monthly flows for August. Soils remained mostly very dry and groundwater levels decreased across all aquifers. Reservoir stocks continued to decline and remained below the historic minimum levels for the time of year.

2. Rainfall

There was a significant lack of rainfall across Yorkshire in August, with the area receiving just 29.5% of the long term average (LTA) rainfall. Catchment average rainfall totals ranged from 24% of the LTA in the Ouse to 36% of the LTA in the Ure. August was characterised by a few wet days at the start and end of the month, with 3 weeks of almost dry weather in between in most catchments

On average across Yorkshire, it was the second driest August on record with 1887 being the only other year seeing less rainfall in this month.

In the last 12 months, 8 months had below LTA rainfall and this was the second month with less than 30% of the LTA.

Within the Ouse catchment, this was the driest February to August in the Met Office Had-UK rainfall record, starting 1871. For most of the other catchments, it was the second driest February to August.

3. Soil moisture deficit

Soils across Yorkshire were very dry in August and soil moisture deficits were very high for most of the month. The deficit was only slightly reduced by rainfall at the start and end of the month in the north-west and south of the area.

4. River flows

Monthly mean flows for August were low in all catchments when compared to their respective LTAs. They ranged from 16% of the LTA at Kildwick on the River Aire to 53% at Doncaster on the River Don.

Some sites experienced record low August mean flows including:

• Crakehill Topcliffe on the River Swale
• Briggswath on the River Esk
• Ness on the River Rye
• Buttercrambe on the River Derwent
• Whittington on the River Rother

After starting the month below normal or notably low for the time of year, flows in the Pennine catchments responded to rainfall near the start of the month and peaked around days 4, 5 and 6. Following this, flows in these rivers receded and remained low for the rest of the month. The Swale and Calder both became exceptionally low.

The River Ouse followed the same pattern. It peaked rapidly on day 5 and then gradually declined and became exceptionally low by the month’s end.

The River Esk, River Rye and River Derwent were exceptionally low for much of the month, and their flows did not fluctuate significantly.

Flows in the Don and Rother catchments fluctuated between being notably low and exceptionally low before increasing slightly in the final week of the month after small amounts of rain from day 27 onwards.

The chalk-fed West Beck was notably low for the whole of August.

5. Groundwater levels   

5.1 Magnesian Limestone

The groundwater level within the Magnesian Limestone decreased at Brick House Farm and remained above normal for the time of year.

5.2 Millstone Grit

The groundwater level within the Millstone Grit decreased at Hill Top Farm and was notably low for the time of year. This observation borehole is used for water abstraction by means of a pump which may affect the groundwater level recorded here.

5.3 Sherwood Sandstone

The groundwater level within the Sherwood Sandstone decreased at Great Ouseburn and was normal for the time of year. The groundwater level decreased slightly at Riccall Approach Farm and was below normal for the time of year.

5.4 Corallian Limestone

The groundwater level within 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 notably low for the time of year. The groundwater level also decreased at Dalton Estate Well and was notably low for the time of year.

6. Reservoir stocks

Reservoir stocks continued to decline at an average rate of around 3% per week. At the end of August, stocks were at 32.3%. This is the lowest reservoir stocks have been on record for the time of year, 3.3% lower than in 1995.

7. Environmental impact 

At the end of August, there were 130 abstraction licences with a hands off flow (HOF) condition in force, and another 17 abstraction licence holders had been given advance warning that flows were low. The number of HOFs in place continues to change in response to the low flow conditions.

Author: Environment Agency, hydrology.northeast@environment-agency.gov.uk

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