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1. Rainfall

Rainfall for north-west England during June was classed as notably high with 163% of the long term average (LTA). The Cumbria and Lancashire (CLA) area observed 191% of the LTA classed as exceptionally high while the Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire (GMC) area observed 93% of the LTA classed as normal.

High rainfall across north-west England during June, particularly across CLA, resulted in hydrological areas observing rainfall classed between normal and exceptionally high. The 2 hydrological areas located in GMC observed rainfall classed as normal. In CLA one hydrological area was classed as above normal, one as notably high and 6 as exceptionally high. The highest rainfall (in terms of LTA) was observed in the Kent hydrological area with 235% of the LTA classed as exceptionally high and the lowest was observed in the Cheshire Rivers Group hydrological area with 84% of the LTA, classed as normal. The Derwent hydrological area observed its second highest rainfall during June since 1871 while the Kent and Esk (Cumbria) hydrological areas observed their third wettest June since 1871.

Cumulative rainfall across north-west England over the last 3 months was classed between below normal and notably high with the higher rainfall (in terms of LTA) being observed in CLA and lower rainfall being observed in GMC. Three-month cumulative rainfall was highest in the Kent hydrological area with 136% of the LTA, classed as notably high, and lowest in the Mersey and Irwell hydrological area, with 71% of the LTA, classed as below normal.

The 6-month cumulative rainfall for north-west England was classed between notably low and normal. With higher rainfall totals observed in west Cumbria. The highest 6-month cumulative rainfall total was observed in the Esk (Cumbria) hydrological area with 90% of the LTA, classed as normal, and the lowest in the Esk (Dumfries) with 66% of the LTA, classed as notably low.

The 12-month cumulative rainfall for north-west England was classed between notably low and above normal. As the spatial variability of rainfall has varied during the last 12 months, there is no clear pattern in the 12-month cumulative rainfall. The lowest 12- month cumulative rainfall was observed in the Esk (Dumfries) with 76% of the LTA, classed as notably low, and the highest in the Cheshire Rivers Group with 109% of the LTA, classed as above normal.

2. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

Soil moisture deficits (SMD) across north-west England at the end of June were between 0mm and 130mm with higher SMDs being observed in GMC and south Lancashire. SMDs for north-west England ranged between 75mm below the LTA in Cumbria and 50mm above the LTA in GMC.

3. River flows

Monthly mean river flows across north-west England were classed between notably low and exceptionally high at monitoring stations with:

• one classed as notably low
• 3 as below normal
• 6 as normal
• 3 as above normal
• 3 as notably high
• 9 as exceptionally high

The highest monthly mean river flow (in terms of LTA) was recorded in the River Leven at Newby Bridge with 329% of the LTA classed as exceptionally high and the lowest was recorded in the River Dane at Rudheath with 61% of the LTA classed as below normal.

4. Groundwater levels   

Groundwater levels across north-west England were classed between exceptionally low and exceptionally high. Groundwater levels at:

• Bruntwood Hall, decreased, to above normal from exceptionally high
• Richmond Park, increased, to exceptionally high from notably high
• Victoria road, increased, to normal from below normal

All other sites remained the same classification at:

• Brown Bank Lay By, classed as normal
• Furness Abbey, classed as above normal
• Great Musgrave, classed as exceptionally low
• Lea Lane, classed as normal
• Primrose Hill, classed as normal
• Priors Heyes, classed as exceptionally high
• Skirwith, classed as normal

Please note, levels at Priors Heyes remain high compared to historic levels because the aquifer is recovering from the effects of historically high abstractions.

5. Reservoir stocks

Total reservoir stocks for north-west England increased from 61% at the beginning of June to 65% at the end of June. This is lower than the average of 78% usually seen at this time of year and also lower than last year when reservoir stocks were 84%.

At the end of June, reservoir storage (in terms of percentage) was highest at Vyrnwy at 94% full and lowest at Rivington at 28%.

The combined storage at Haweswater and Thirlmere was 59% which is lower than the 69% average storage at this time of year and lower than last year when storage was 85%. Reservoirs kept low for maintenance works include part of the:

• Longdendale system – Torside
• Rivington system – Anglezarke and High Bullough
• Bolton Supply system – Dingle
• Piethorne Valley system – Norman Hill and Rooden
• Ogden (Barley) system – Ogden Lower
• Barnacre Group System – Barnacre North

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 herein.

Author: Cumbria and Lancashire Hydrology Team, hydrology.CMBLNC@environment-agency.gov.uk