Reservoir storage levels currently stand at 92.8% - 0.6% above average and river flows normal or higher for England at this time of year, according to the latest dry weather and drought report from the Environment Agency.

Since the last drought briefing on 22 January, there have been nine changes in area drought status since the last report on 22 January. All areas have moved to normal status apart from 3 catchments within the East Anglia area which have moved from prolonged dry weather to recovery status.

The first 3 weeks of February have seen no decrease in unsettled and wet conditions particularly across central and southern England. England has received 147% long term average (LTA) rainfall in the first 24 days of the month. With 4 days to go, the north-west has received average rainfall, while central England has received 185% LTA rainfall.

River flows have responded to the wet conditions over the autumn and winter. As of 24 February, all nationally reported sites are normal or higher for the time of year. River flows from a couple of groundwater dominated catchments in central southern England are exceptionally high for the time of year, with most other sites above normal for the time of year.

Soils remain saturated across all of England with all regions wetter than expected at this point in the year.

With significant groundwater recharge occurring in 2026, groundwater levels are now classed as normal or higher at all national indicator sites for week ending 24 February. Groundwater levels are now rising across East Anglia. They are currently exceptionally high for the time of year in:

• many of the chalk aquifers of the Wessex and South Downs and across Yorkshire
• the limestone in parts of Lincolnshire and Northants
• the sandstone aquifers of Cheshire and the West Midlands

Reservoir storage remains below average across east England and slightly below average across the south-east, but rising across both. Three reservoirs remain below 70% full, Hanningfield and Abberton in Essex and the Dove group in Derbyshire. Refill in these reservoirs has been impacted by water quality and operational issues.

Public water supply

The report says the majority of water companies have seen good recovery and are now in business as usual. South East Water removed temporary use bans on 5 February. There are no customer water restrictions in place.

With a small number of reservoirs still below normal, residual risks remain for some water companies. Essex and Suffolk Water’s Essex water resources zone and Anglian Water’s Fenland, Norfolk Norwich & the Broads, and several Ruthamford water resources zones remain in drought level 1.

Agriculture

While the wet weather over the winter has significantly improved the water resources situation for the agriculture sector, flooding in parts of the country has brought challenging conditions for farmers. Abstractors have sufficiently refilled irrigation reservoirs over the winter, except in parts of East Anglia.

Initial prospects for irrigation are good this spring for most parts of England. Irrigation prospects are expected to be moderate across East Anglia due to the slow recovery of groundwater in the chalk areas of North Norfolk. With further rainfall, it is expected that these prospects will improve.

Drought readiness actions

The Environment Agency stood down its national Gold Command structure for drought on 22 January but continues to monitor residual risks and ensures it is prepared for the next drought.

The next National Drought Group meeting which is scheduled for 23 March will focus on readiness for the summer (incorporating learning from 2025), the latest spray irrigation prospects for summer 2026 and a plan for continued communications.

With the improved water resources position, this is the penultimate dry weather and drought briefing. The final briefing is due on 26 March.