Yorkshire water situation: March 2026 summary
Updated 14 April 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/water-situation-local-area-reports/yorkshire-water-situation-march-2026-summary
1. Summary
Rainfall across Yorkshire was average for the time of year. Soils remained wet throughout the month. Flows were mostly within normal range and responded to 2 short periods when high rainfall totals occurred. Reservoirs levels were close to full capacity.
2. Rainfall
Monthly rainfall totals were in the normal range for most catchments with exception of the Derwent which was just below normal range for March, between 69% and 119% of the long term average (LTA). The legacy of the rain from the start of the year resulted in the Don still ranking the forth wettest January to March in a rainfall record starting in 1871.
Most of the month was categorised by low daily rainfall totals. However, there were two short periods where higher rainfall totals were recorded. The first of these occurred on day 12, where widespread rainfall occurred across Yorkshire. On this day the highest of the rainfall totals were in the upper reaches of the Swale, Ure, Nidd, Wharfe and Aire. Daily rainfall totals at our key indicator site, Arkle Town, located in the Swale catchment recorded 53mm.
The second wet period occurred on day 24, again widespread across Yorkshire’s catchments but to a lesser extent. The largest daily rainfall totals occurred in the Ure, Wharfe and Upper Calder, which had from 34mm to 59mm, around 30% of the monthly LTA.
3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge
During March the soil moisture was typical for the time of year. Across Yorkshire soils were classified as wet for all the reporting weeks with little variation across each catchment.
4. River flows
Monthly mean river flows in Yorkshire were within normal range between 60% and 120% of the LTA, with exception of the West Beck. The West Beck monthly mean flows were in the exceptionally high range for March at 158% of the LTA.
In the West Beck, flows continued to be dominated by high groundwater levels which ensured that they remained exceptionally high for the first 14 days of the month. They gradually receded from day 15 onwards to notably high, above normal from day 19, and normal by the last 3 days of the month.
Elsewhere in Yorkshire flows for the first 11 days were within normal range. There were two periods in the month when flows peaked temporarily to exceptionally high, which followed the rainfall pattern. The first of these was a short period between day 12 to 18 where flows from the Pennine-fed catchments increased to exceptionally high but then receded to normal by day 19. The second peak occurred on day 24 and 25 where those Pennine-fed catchments again reached to above normal or exceptionally high peak flows.
5. Groundwater levels
5.1 Magnesian Limestone
The groundwater level within the Magnesian Limestone decreased at Brick House Farm and was at notably high for the time of year.
5.2 Millstone Grit
The groundwater level within the Millstone Grit increased at Hill Top Farm and was at normal 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 within the Sherwood Sandstone decreased at Great Ouseburn and was at notably high for the time of year. The groundwater level decreased at Riccall Approach Farm and was at normal for the time of year.
5.4 Corallian Limestone
The groundwater level within the Corallian Limestone decreased at Sproxton and was at normal for the time of year.
5.5 Chalk
The groundwater level decreased at Wetwang and was at normal for the time of year. The groundwater level decreased at Dalton Estate Well and was at notably high 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.
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 39 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.