Research and analysis

Yorkshire water situation: March 2024 summary

Updated 15 April 2024

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

March rainfall was a little above average. River flows in most catchments fluctuated between normal and above normal for the time of year with a few higher peaks. In contrast, in the Chalk-fed Hull catchment flows were exceptionally high for the first three weeks. Soils remained saturated throughout Yorkshire. Groundwater levels declined in all aquifers. Reservoir stocks also decreased slightly but remained above average for the time of year.

2. Rainfall

Monthly rainfall was still a little above average but more typical for the time of year than preceding months. Using the Met Office Had-UK data set, catchment averaged rainfall ranged from 101% to 131% of the long term average (LTA) in most of Yorkshire’s catchments, but only 90% of the LTA in the Rye. The monthly totals were classified as above normal in the Pennine catchments and normal for the eastern half of the area.

Using the same Had-UK data set, Yorkshire as a whole recorded the wettest 9 month period from July to March in a 150 year record, and also the wettest 6 month winter period from October to March. However the majority of the unusually high rainfall totals were captured in the preceding months up to February. For individual catchments it was the highest ranking July to March rainfall period for the Nidd, Ouse, Wharfe, Derwent, Aire, Calder, Don and Hull catchments, with the Swale and Ure second wettest and Rye third wettest in the record. All catchments also ranked first or second wettest in 150 years for the six month totals October to March.

Rain was frequent through the month with only a brief settled period from 3 to 8 March, but with no major storms. In the Pennine catchments there were few dry days. The wettest periods were the first two days of the month and particularly the 13 to 14 March. The Don and Rother had a more even temporal distribution of rain during the month. Further east, the Derwent and Hull also had frequent rainfall with low daily totals. The wettest spells were 1 to 4 March, 16 to 17 and 26 to 31 March in the Derwent, and 31 March in the Hull.   

3. Soil moisture deficit

Soils were saturated and classified as wet every week of the month across Yorkshire. The frequent spells of rain ensured the soils remained wet and very little change in soil moisture deficit occurred across the region.

4. River flows

Monthly mean flows were in the above normal or notably high range on the Wharfe, Nidd, upper Ure and Don and in the normal range elsewhere in Yorkshire. The range of flows for Yorkshire was typically 70% to 162% of the LTA. The exception was the West Beck in the Hull catchment which, with the support of groundwater spring flows from the Chalk, remained exceptionally high for the first part of the month with a monthly mean 167% of the LTA.  Notably high monthly mean flows in the Nidd were influenced by both wet weather and larger than usual releases from Gouthwaite reservoir to facilitate scheduled reservoir safety improvement works.   

Although rain was persistent throughout the month, the majority of daily mean flows stayed within normal or just above normal range across Yorkshire. The Pennine-fed rivers began March with either normal or above normal flows and a small peak on the 3rd at many sites. Flows in these catchments peaked in response to mid-month rainfall on the 10th to 14th. Daily mean flows rose to exceptionally high during this period and then receded to above normal during the second half of the month in the north and west Pennine-fed rivers. On the Don and Rother high flow episodes on day 17 to 19 and in the last week of the month were more significant than elsewhere in the Pennines.

On the River Derwent and its tributary the Rye a steady decline in baseflow was observed through the month and flows fell into the normal range for the time of year. This corresponded to a decline in groundwater level in the Corallian limestone and other aquifers. Flows in the Esk in the north-east were also typical for March and showed little variability.

Flows gradually declined through the month on the chalk-fed West Beck in the upper Hull catchment, from exceptionally high to above normal from 22nd onwards.  

5. Groundwater levels   

5.1 Magnesian Limestone

The groundwater level within the Magnesian Limestone at Brick House Farm decreased but remained exceptionally high for the time of year.

5.2 Millstone Grit

The groundwater level decreased within the Millstone Grit at Hill Top Farm and was notably high 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 slightly at both Great Ouseburn (exceptionally high) and Riccall Approach Farm (notably high).

5.4 Corallian Limestone

The groundwater level greatly decreased within the Corallian Limestone at Sproxton and passed into the upper part of the normal range for the time of year.

5.5 Chalk

The groundwater level decreased at both Wetwang (northern Yorkshire Wolds chalk) and Dalton Estate (central Yorkshire Wolds chalk). The level at Wetwang was above normal while that at Dalton Estate was notably high.

6. Reservoir stocks

Total reservoir stocks remained close to capacity with a very slight decline of less than 2% during March. This is typical for the month and at month-end total stocks were approximately 2.5% above the LTA.

Author: Hydrology, hydrology.northeast@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.