The Environment Agency has published its latest update for the water situation in England showing that monthly rainfall totals in November were above average in all catchments, river flows increased at almost all sites and groundwater levels increased at two thirds of indicator sites.

However, despite the fact that reservoir stocks increased at all except one of the reservoir and reservoir groups the Agency reports on, more than half of reservoirs were still classed as below normal or lower for the time of year.

Key findings include:

Rainfall

November was the third consecutive month of above average rainfall for England as a whole and the wettest since 2009. Sixty three catchments recorded rainfall totals within the top ten wettest for November, and fifteen all in south-east England saw their wettest ever November using records starting in 1891.

Soil moisture deficit

As a result of the rainfall, soil moisture deficits declined quickly and at the end of the month soils were wetter than would be expected across most of England for this time of year.

River flows

November monthly mean river flows increased at all except one of the indicator sites the EA reports on since October. Two thirds of sites were above normal or higher for the time of year, and a quarter were normal for the time of year. Despite increases in flows, three sites were below normal for the time of year.

Groundwater levels

At the end of November, groundwater levels increased at two thirds of the reported indicator sites as wet soils and above average rainfall helped some aquifers begin their seasonal recovery. The other third of sites continued to decline. Almost half of the end of month groundwater levels were classed as normal for the time of year.

Reservoir storage

At the end of November reservoirs stocks had increased at all except one of the reservoirs and reservoir groups the EA reports on. Fifteen reservoirs or reservoir groups saw an increase of more than 20% in their stocks in comparison to the end of September. Despite these increases, more than half of all reservoirs or reservoir groups were classed as below normal or lower for the time of year.

At the regional scale, total reservoir stocks ranged from 43% in south-west England to 83% in north-east England. Total reservoir stocks for England were at 73% of total capacity at the end of November.

Forward look 

Taking a forward look, the EA is flagging up an increased likelihood of a drier December, while near average temperatures are forecast with an increased chance of cold weather in early winter for the three month period from December to February.

Projections for river flows at key sites suggest that by the end of March 2023 river flows have a greater likelihood of being above normal in south east and south west England, while across the rest of the country river flows have a greater chance of being normal or below normal. However, by the end of September 2023 river flows have an increased chance of being above normal in all regions.

For groundwater levels in key aquifers, projections suggest that by the end of March 2023 groundwater levels have a higher than expected chance of being normal or lower in all regions except south east and central England, where groundwater levels have an increased likelihood of being above normal or higher.

By the end of September 2023 groundwater levels are also expected to have a higher than expected chance of being normal across all regions except northern England, where groundwater levels have an increased chance of being normal across all regions except northern England, where groundwater levels have an increased chance of being below normal.

Click here to download the Water Situation Report for England November 2022 in full