Reservoir Watch 2012

Reservoir April May Jun Change in Minimum group 2012 2012 2012 May – Jun historical* Jun holding Holding Holding period holding (Year) 63.2% Crinan 89.3% 82.6% 70.8% -11.8% (2000) Monkland # 65.0% 98.8% 98.6% 96.8% -1.8% (2001) Forth & Clyde # 60.8% 100% 100% 82.2% -17.8% Canal (2011) 81.5% Union Canal 100% 100% 100% 0% (2007) Kennet & Avon 70.7% 69.4% 78.4% 76.0% -2.4% Canal (2005) 58.9% Oxford & GU 55.8% 86.4% 89.7% +3.3% (2011) 76.3% GU South 58.9% 75.5% 89.5% +14.0% (2006) 54.5% GU North 48.2% 100% 100% 0% (2011) Lancaster 76.2% 100% 100% 95.0% -5.0% Canal (2010) Leeds & 47.7% Liverpool 87.8% 97.9% 89.5% -8.4% (2010) Canal Peak Forest & 61.7% Macclesfield 95.0% 99.9% 100% +0.1% (2007) Canal 71.7% Caldon Canal 90.3% 90.1% 91.5% +1.4% (2011) Huddersfield 60.5% 91.1% 100% 85.5% -14.5% Narrow Canal (2002) Chesterfield 69.8% 87.4% 100% 97.7% -2.3% Canal (2009) Grantham 96.4% 96.3% 100% 100% 0% Canal (2011) Birmingham 32.0% Canal 39.6% 51.1% 52.5% +1.4% (2011) Navigations Staffs & Worcs, 75.6% 85.0% 90.3% 91.9% +1.6% Shropshire (2011) Union * for the purposes of this analysis, historical holdings cover 1998-2012 reservoir holding data, inclusive.

Issued by: Rainfall across the whole of the UK for May was very close to the Long Term Average, although Southern England only received 83% of LTA. This return to average rainfall in May was a very marked contrast in weather patterns, with very dry (March) and then very wet conditions (April) being observed earlier in the Spring.

The Met Office rainfall anomaly graphs and maps for May can be found at the following links: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/anomalygraphs/2012/2012_Rainfall_Anomaly_1971-2000.gif http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/anomacts/2012/5/2012_5_Rainfall_Anomaly_1971-2000.gif

The average rainfall in May, and the exceptionally heavy rainfall in April, have led to significant refill of many BW reservoirs. This natural refill, combined with the successful implementation of the Drought Schemes (highlighted in previous issues of the Reservoir Watch report), has led to a considerable overall improvement in the water resource position for the parts of the network that were previously a cause for concern. C:\USERS\DAVID\APPDATA\LOCAL\TEMP\24979.DOC, page 1 of 2 Last Updated: 15/06/2012 17:02:00 , As previously advised to customers, restrictions to lock opening times that were originally introduced in mid-March were relaxed at a number of locations in mid-May, with a further commitment to review the position after the Jubilee weekend and the half-term holiday. Having looked at groundwater levels and the usage of water from our reservoirs to meet canal demands, and modelled the likely situation over the coming summer months, we have been able to lift the restrictions entirely. Due to essential maintenance works the Northampton Arm of the will reopen on 29 th June and, apart from a three-day stoppage in July, will remain open throughout July and August.

For further information on the situation, we have published a Press Release and issued an updated Drought Restrictions Map . As always, boaters are advised to sign up for email notifications of any changes to restrictions at http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/boating/stoppages .

Water Management team, 14 June 2012

Annex 1 – BW reservoir groups Reservoir data presented is from week ending Monday 11 June 2012, along with data from the nearest comparable date in April and May (with the exception of the reservoir groups in Scotland marked with # which are for the nearest available data point).

Group name Reservoirs within group Crinan Loch Na Faolinn, Daill East & West, Gleann Loch, Loch An Add, Loch An Duin, Loch Clachaig, Loch Na Bric, Cam Loch Monkland Canal Black Loch, Lilly Loch & Hillend Forth & Clyde Canal Townhead & Birkenburn Union Canal Cobbinshaw Kennet & Avo n 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, Slipper Hill, Whitemoor & Canal Winterburn Peak Forest & Macclesfield Canal Sutton, Bosley, Toddbrook & Combs Cald on Canal Rudyard, Stanley, Knypersley Huddersfield Narrow Canal Sparth, Slaithwaite, Diggle Chesterfield Canal Harthill and Pebbly Grantham Canal Knipton & Denton Birmingham Canal Navigations Windmill, Terry's, Engine, Cofton, Upper Bittell, Rotton Park, Chasewater Staffs & Worcs, Shropshire Union Belvide, Gailey Upper, Gailey Lower & Calf Heath

C:\USERS\DAVID\APPDATA\LOCAL\TEMP\24979.DOC, page 2 of 2 Last Updated: 15/06/2012 17:02:00 ,