Reservoir Watch 2015

Reservoir group April 2015 May 2015 June 2015 Change in May Minimum historical* holding holding holding - June Period June holding (Year) Kennet & Avon 70.7% 87.7% 81.5% 80.5% -1.5% Canal (2005) 59.9% Oxford & GU 95.4% 86.1% 80.3% -5.8% (2011) 80.2% GU South 94.6% 92.3% 85.5% -6.8% (2006) 54.5% GU North 100% 96.6% 76.7% -19.9% (2011) 76.2% Lancaster Canal 100% 100% 100% 0% (2010) Leeds & Liverpool 46.9% 99.1% 98.9% 94.5% -4.4% Canal (2010) Peak Forest & 62.3% 96.5% 92.6% 88.5% -4.1% (2007) 72.3% 96.1% 93.1% 89.3% -3.8% (2011) Huddersfield 19.5% 98.2% 96.1% 96.2% +0.1% Narrow Canal (2013) 59.9% Chesterfield Canal 96.2% 94.6% 90.7% -3.9% (2009) 76.3% Grantham Canal 100% 100% 100% 0% (2005) Birmingham Canal 32.1% 91.2% 89.9% 91.3% +1.4% Navigations (2011) Staffs & Worcs, 75.6% 98.6% 95.5% 91.6% -3.9% Shropshire Union (2011) * for the purposes of this analysis, historical holdings cover 1998-2015 reservoir holding data, inclusive.

According to the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, May was a wet and cool month, as the majority of the UK received above average rainfall and average daily maximum temperatures provisionally ranked as the coldest May since 1996. Rainfall for the UK was 174% of the long-term average, although parts of the north-west of England received over double the average. Considering Spring (March-May, inclusive), drier conditions characterised southern and eastern Britain, as all regions in southern England registered less than 75% of average rainfall.

The Met Office rainfall anomaly graphs and maps can be viewed at: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/pub/data/weather/uk/climate/anomalygraphs/2015/2015_Rainfall_Anomal y_1981-2010.gif http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/pub/data/weather/uk/climate/anomacts/2015/5/2015_5_Rainfall_Anomaly _1981-2010.gif

The wetter conditions in May have meant that despite demands for water associated with the increase in usage as the boating season has progressed, the reservoir groups still remain in a relatively good position for this point in the year. All but one reservoir group is still at 80% holding or greater. The BCN group actually saw an increase in its holding since last month. Typically, reductions of around 2 to 7% in group holding over the reporting period have been observed, although the GU North group (Saddington Reservoir) has seen a more substantial use over the past month, which we are carefully monitoring. Only two reservoirs across the network are being drawn down or are now held down for planned engineering works at present, namely Lower Bittell (which is not used to supply the canal network) and Reservoir (which supplies the Peak Forest & Macclesfield Canals).

Boaters are advised to sign up for email notifications of any waterway restrictions or closures at: http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices

Issued by: Water Management team, Canal & River Trust 22 June 2015

\\BWFS05\DEPTS4\HATTON_FS\WATER MANAGEMENT\099 CORPORATE ADVICE\WATER WATCH 2015\RESERVOIR WATCH SCHEME - JUNE 15.DOCX, page 1 of 2 Last Updated: 22/06/2015 11:46:00,

Reservoir data presented is from week ending Monday 15 June 2015 unless stated, along with data from the nearest comparable date in April and May.

Annex 1 – Canal & River Trust reservoir groups

Group name Reservoirs within group Kennet & Avon Crofton [this is a principally spring-fed reservoir, and its yield is therefore Canal greater than the storage volume indicates] Oxford & GU Boddington, Wormleighton, Clattercote, Naseby, Sulby, Welford, Drayton, Daventry GU South Startopsend, Wilstone, Marsworth, Tringford GU North Saddington Lancaster Canal Killington Leeds & Liverpool Rishton, Barrowford, Upper & Lower Foulridge, Slipperhill, Whitemoor & Canal Winterburn Peak Forest & Macclesfield Canal Sutton, Bosley, Toddbrook & Combs Caldon Canal Rudyard, Stanley, Knypersley Huddersfield Narrow Canal Sparth, Slaithwaite, Diggle Chesterfield Canal Harthill and Pebley Grantham Canal Knipton & Denton Birmingham Canal Windmill Pool, Terry's Pool, Engine Pool, Cofton, Upper Bittell, Rotton Park, Navigations Chasewater Staffs & Worcs, Shropshire Union Belvide, Gailey Upper, Gailey Lower & Calf Heath

\\BWFS05\DEPTS4\HATTON_FS\WATER MANAGEMENT\099 CORPORATE ADVICE\WATER WATCH 2015\RESERVOIR WATCH SCHEME - JUNE 15.DOCX, page 2 of 2 Last Updated: 22/06/2015 11:46:00,