Water Situation Report Midlands Area

Monthly water situation report Midlands Area

Summary – August 2017

Rainfall – Rainfall in August was within the Normal’ range for the Midlands region. Soil Moisture Deficit – Soil moisture deficits have increased marginally (soils are drier) since July. River Flows – Most sites are recording ‘Normal’ or ‘Above Normal’ flows for August. Tenbury is ‘Below Normal’ however. Groundwater Levels – Most sites are ‘Normal’ for August with the exception of Crossley Hill and Anthony’s Cross which are ‘Below Normal’. Reservoir Storage – Reservoirs are healthy for August; though Charnwood has the lowest storage currently at just over 40% full.

Rainfall Rainfall in August was within the normal range for the Midlands region.

Soil Moisture Deficit Soil moisture deficits have increased marginally (soils are drier) since July, mainly in the west of the region. Soils in the Severn catchment are drier than the long term average for August.

River Flows Most sites are recording normal or above normal flows for August. Tenbury (River Teme) is below normal for August.

Please note Butts Bridge is showing as notably low flows for August, however this is partly due to data only being available up to the 23rd of the month.

Groundwater Levels Most sites are normal for August with the exception of Crossley Hill and Anthony’s Cross which are below normal.

Reservoir Storage Reservoirs are healthy for August with Elan, Blithfield, Charnwood and Draycote being just below their long term average storage curves.

Charnwood has the lowest storage currently at just over 40% full.

Flood alerts / warnings Current flood status in your area can be obtained by visiting the Environment Agency Website.

Weather Outlook For an up-to-date weather outlook for your area please visit the Met Office Website.

Environmental Impact Currently there is one compensation scheme operating in SWWM, six in SHWG and one in East Midlands.

River Severn Operations (as of 13-09-2017) The River Severn is regulated to maintain a minimum flow at Bewdley gauging station. This ensures sufficient water flows along the river to support environmental and water supply requirements. Regulation is instigated when flows drop below a threshold. There has been 47 days of regulation so far this season but we are not currently making regulation releases.

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.

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River Wye Operations (as of 13-09-2017) Flows in the River Wye at Redbrook remained above the regulation threshold of 1209 Ml/d.

Water abstraction restrictions (as of 08-09-2017)

As of 08-09-2017 there are 224 water abstraction licence restrictions in place across the Midlands.

Abstraction Licence Restrictions Rivers & (Stations) Restricted

West River Tern (Ternhill on Tern) Midlands River Worfe (Burcote) (SHWG) River Roden (Roddington) River Stour (Kidderminster) River Meese (Tibberton) River Rea (Cound Brook) River Salwarpe (Harford Hill) Badsey Brook (Offenham) Dick Brook (Dowles brook at Oak Cottage) Mor Brook (Dowles brook at Oak Cottage) Piddle Brook (Wyre Piddle) River Severn (Bewldey) River Perry (Yeaton) Bailey Brook (Ternhill) River Tern (Walcot) River Isbourne (Hinton on the Green) River Teme (Tenbury) River Teme (Knightsford Bridge) River Leadon (Wedderburn Bridge) Glynch Brook (Bromsberrow) River Severn (Deerhurst) West River Stour (Alscot Park) River Dene (Wellesbourne) Midlands (SWWM) River Avon (Stareton) River Dove (Marston on Dove) River Penk (Penkridge) River Blithe (Hamstall Ridware) East River Derwent (Derby St. Mary’s) Midlands River Blyth (Ryton) River Maun (Whitewater Bridge) River Meden (Whitewater Bridge) River Devon (Wensor Bridge) Table 1 . Water abstraction licence restrictions as of 08-09-2017.

If you are interested in receiving this report in Welsh, please contact us.

Author: Midlands Hydrology Contact details: 03708 506 506

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Regional Coverage

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Midlands Hydrological Areas

Figure 2. The 12 hydrological areas that make up the Midlands region. Please use the link to see Natural Resources Wales Water Situation Report. Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Environment Agency, 100026380, 2017.

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Midlands Rainfall Map for August 2017

Figure 3. Total rainfall for the 12 hydrological areas across the Midlands for the current month, last 3 months, last 6 months and last 12 months. Classes relative to historic averages. TBR rainfall data based on 1 km gridded rainfall dataset derived from rain gauges. Environment Agency, 100026380, 2017.

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Current month Current month Region/ Area (mm) LTA (%) Region/ Area (mm) LTA (%) Midlands region 65.1 101 Lower Severn 56.99 91 DNL 73.1 115 Upper Trent 68.51 101 SWWM 62.9 92 Tame 59.34 91 SHWG 61.1 98 Dove 74.68 98 Welsh Mountains 110.9 127 Derwent 77.36 99 Shropshire Plains 68.4 111 Soar 59.06 93 Mid Severn/ Teme 68.73 105 Lower Trent 70.79 120 Avon 58.95 89 Lower Wye 58.33 91

Table 1. August average rainfall totals and August LTA values for 12 hydrological areas across the Midlands; using EA TBR rainfall data. Values for Midlands region, DNL, SWWM and SHWG use Met Office NCIC data (Met Office © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Environment Agency, 100026380, 2017).

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Midlands Rainfall Charts

Above average rainfall Below average rainfall 1-Month Period for Welsh Uplands 1-Month Period for Shropshire plains

250% 250%

200% 200%

150% 150%

100% 100%

50% 50% Sep-16 Oct-16 Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17 Sep-16 Dec-16 Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17 0% Nov-16 Dec-16 0% Oct-16 Nov-16

1-Month Period for Mid Severn/ Teme 1-Month Period for Avon to Evesham

250% 250%

200% 200%

150% 150%

100% 100%

50% 50%

0% Sep-16 Oct-16 Nov-16 Dec-16 Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17 0% Sep-16 Oct-16 Nov-16 Dec-16 Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17

1-Month Period for Lower Severn Estuary 1-Month Period for Upper Trent

250% 250%

200% 200%

150% 150%

100% 100%

50% 50%

0% Sep-16 Oct-16 Nov-16 Dec-16 Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17 0% Sep-16 Oct-16 Nov-16 Dec-16 Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17

1-Month Period for Tame 1-Month Period for Dove

250% 250%

200% 200%

150% 150%

100% 100%

50% 50%

0% Sep-16 Oct-16 Nov-16 Dec-16 Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17 0% Sep-16 Oct-16 Nov-16 Dec-16 Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17

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1-Month Period for Derwent (Midlands) 1-Month Period for Soar

250% 250%

200% 200%

150% 150%

100% 100%

50% 50%

0% Sep-16 Oct-16 Nov-16 Dec-16 Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17 0% Sep-16 Oct-16 Nov-16 Dec-16 Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17

1-Month Period for Lower Trent 1-Month Period for Lower Wye

250% 250%

200% 200%

150% 150%

100% 100%

50% 50%

0% Sep-16 Oct-16 Nov-16 Dec-16 Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17 0% Sep-16 Oct-16 Nov-16 Dec-16 Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17

1-Month Period for Midlands East 1-Month Period for Midlands Central

250% 250%

200% 200%

150% 150%

100% 100%

50% 50% Sep-16 Oct-16 Nov-16 Dec-16 Jan-17 Jul-17 Aug-17 0% Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 0% Sep-16 Oct-16 Nov-16 Dec-16 Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17

1-Month Period for Midlands West 1-Month Period for Midlands

250% 250%

200% 200%

150% 150%

100% 100%

50% 50%

0% Sep-16 Oct-16 Nov-16 Dec-16 Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17 0% Sep-16 Oct-16 Nov-16 Dec-16 Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17

Figure 4. August rainfall for selected areas across the Midlands region (Source NCIC dataset NFFS).

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Midlands Soil Moisture Deficit Map

Figure 5. Soil moisture deficits for weeks ending 31-07-2017 (left column) and 31-08- 2017 (right column). The top row shows actual soil moisture deficits and the bottom row shows the difference from the LTA (1961 – 1990). MORECS data for real land use (Met Office © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Environment Agency, 100026380, 2017).

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Midlands Soil Moisture Deficit Charts

SMD Data Latest SMD Data Average SMD Data

Lower Trent - 108 Derwent Midlands - 116 0 0

20 20

40 40

80 Soil deficit moisture (mm) Soil deficit moisture (mm) 100

100 120

140 120 Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Welsh Mountains 123 Severn - 124 0 0

20 20

40 40

80 Soil deficit moisture (mm) Soil deficit moisture (mm) 100

100 120

120 140 Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Upper Trent - 125 Soar - 126 0 0

20 20

40 40

60 60

80 80 Soil deficit moisture (mm) Soil deficit moisture (mm)

100 100

120 120 Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep

Figure 6. August soil moisture deficit charts for selected areas across the Midlands. MORECS data for real land use (Met Office © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Environment Agency, 100026380, 2017).

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Midlands Mean River Flows for August 2017.

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Midlands River Flow Charts

Exceptionally high Notably high Above normal Normal Below normal Notably low Exceptionally low ─── Latest data AUCKLEY, TORNE BEWDLEY US, SEVERN Ranking derived from data for the period Jun-1971 to Dec-2012 Ranking derived from data for the period Apr-1921 to Dec-2012

3 200

3 150 2

2 100

1 Flow (cumecs)Flow Flow (cumecs)Flow 50 1

0 0 Nov-16 Jan-17 Mar-17 May-17 Jul-17 Sep-17 Nov-16 Jan-17 Mar-17 May-17 Jul-17 Sep-17

BUTTS BRIDGE, LUGG DERBY ST.MARYS US, DERWENT (MI) Ranking derived from data for the period Mar-1969 to Dec-2012 Ranking derived from data for the period Oct-1935 to Dec-2012

20 50

40 15

30 10 20 Flow (cumecs)Flow (cumecs)Flow 5 10

0 0 Nov-16 Jan-17 Mar-17 May-17 Jul-17 Sep-17 Nov-16 Jan-17 Mar-17 May-17 Jul-17 Sep-17

EBLEY MILL, FROME (GLOS) EVESHAM, AVON (MI) Ranking derived from data for the period Apr-1969 to Dec-2012 Ranking derived from data for the period Jan-1970 to Dec-2012

8 90 7 80 6 70

5 60 50 4 40 3 30 Flow (cumecs)Flow (cumecs)Flow 2 20 1 10 0 0 Nov-16 Jan-17 Mar-17 May-17 Jul-17 Sep-17 Nov-16 Jan-17 Mar-17 May-17 Jul-17 Sep-17

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GREAT BRIDGFORD, SOW HAW BRIDGE, SEVERN Ranking derived from data for the period Jan-1971 to Dec-2012 Ranking derived from data for the period Jul-1971 to Dec-2012

4.0

3.5 350

3.0 300

2.5 250

2.0 200

1.5 150 Flow (cumecs)Flow Flow (cumecs)Flow 1.0 100

0.5 50

0.0 0 Nov-16 Jan-17 Mar-17 May-17 Jul-17 Sep-17 Nov-16 Jan-17 Mar-17 May-17 Jul-17 Sep-17

KEGWORTH US, SOAR LLANYBLODWEL, TANAT Ranking derived from data for the period Mar-1991 to Dec-2012 Ranking derived from data for the period Jun-1973 to Dec-2012

25 40

35 20 30

25 15

20 10 15 Flow (cumecs)Flow (cumecs)Flow 10 5 5

0 0 Nov-16 Jan-17 Mar-17 May-17 Jul-17 Sep-17 Nov-16 Jan-17 Mar-17 May-17 Jul-17 Sep-17

MARSTON ON DOVE, DOVE (MI) NORTH MUSKHAM, TRENT Ranking derived from data for the period Jul-1965 to Dec-2012 Ranking derived from data for the period Oct-1968 to Dec-2012

35 200 30

25 150

20 100 15 Flow (cumecs)Flow (cumecs)Flow 10 50 5

0 0 Nov-16 Jan-17 Mar-17 May-17 Jul-17 Sep-17 Nov-16 Jan-17 Mar-17 May-17 Jul-17 Sep-17

REDBROOK, WYE (HEREFORDSHIRE) STARETON, AVON (MI) Ranking derived from data for the period Oct-1969 to Dec-2012 Ranking derived from data for the period Oct-1962 to Dec-2012

9 250 8 7 200 6

150 5 4 100 3 Flow (cumecs)Flow (cumecs)Flow 2 50 1 0 0 Nov-16 Jan-17 Mar-17 May-17 Jul-17 Sep-17 Nov-16 Jan-17 Mar-17 May-17 Jul-17 Sep-17

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TENBURY, TEME WALCOT, TERN Ranking derived from data for the period Oct-1956 to Dec-2012 Ranking derived from data for the period Oct-1960 to Dec-2012

50 20

40 15 30 10 20 Flow (cumecs)Flow Flow (cumecs)Flow 5 10

0 0 Nov-16 Jan-17 Mar-17 May-17 Jul-17 Sep-17 Nov-16 Jan-17 Mar-17 May-17 Jul-17 Sep-17

WEDDERBURN BRIDGE, LEADON WORKSOP, RYTON Ranking derived from data for the period Jul-1961 to Dec-2012 Ranking derived from data for the period Jun-1970 to Dec-2012

9 2 8 2 7 2 1 6 1 5 1 4 1 3

Flow (cumecs)Flow (cumecs)Flow 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 Nov-16 Jan-17 Mar-17 May-17 Jul-17 Sep-17 Nov-16 Jan-17 Mar-17 May-17 Jul-17 Sep-17

YOXALL, TRENT Ranking derived from data for the period Oct-1959 to Dec-2012

15 Flow (cumecs)Flow 10

0 Nov-16 Jan-17 Mar-17 May-17 Jul-17 Sep-17

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Midlands Monthly Groundwater Levels for August 2017

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Midlands Groundwater Level Charts

Exceptionally high Notably high Above normal Normal Below normal Notably low Exceptionally low ─── Latest data ANTHONYS CROSS, OXENHALL COXMOOR, RAVENSHEAD Ranking derived from data for the period Jan-1973 to Dec-2012 Ranking derived from data for the period Oct-1969 to Dec-2012

48 160

160 47 159 46 159

45 158

158 44 Level (mAOD) Level (mAOD) Level 157 43 157

42 156 Nov-14 Mar-15 Jul-15 Nov-15 Mar-16 Jul-16 Nov-16 Mar-17 Jul-17 Nov-14 Mar-15 Jul-15 Nov-15 Mar-16 Jul-16 Nov-16 Mar-17 Jul-17

CROSSLEY HILL, BLYTH FOUR CROSSES, COVEN Ranking derived from data for the period Dec-1969 to Dec-2012 Ranking derived from data for the period Jul-1969 to Dec-2012

28 116

27 115

26 114

26 114 Level (mAOD) Level (mAOD) Level 25 113

25 113

24 112 Nov-14 Mar-15 Jul-15 Nov-15 Mar-16 Jul-16 Nov-16 Mar-17 Jul-17 Nov-14 Mar-15 Jul-15 Nov-15 Mar-16 Jul-16 Nov-16 Mar-17 Jul-17

HEATHLANES - 23, RADMOOR RAM HALL, MERIDEN Ranking derived from data for the period Jul-1971 to Dec-2012 Ranking derived from data for the period Sep-1973 to Dec-2012

64 107

64 107 106 63 106 63 105 62 105

62 104

Level (mAOD) Level (mAOD) Level 104 61 103 61 103 60 102 Nov-14 Mar-15 Jul-15 Nov-15 Mar-16 Jul-16 Nov-16 Mar-17 Jul-17 Nov-14 Mar-15 Jul-15 Nov-15 Mar-16 Jul-16 Nov-16 Mar-17 Jul-17

Exceptionally high Notably high Above normal Normal Below normal Notably low Exceptionally low ─── Latest data RIDER POINT VIA GELLIA, MATLOCK SHRAWLEY NO.2, ASTLEY Ranking derived from data for the period Jan-1976 to Dec-2012 Ranking derived from data for the period Sep-1974 to Dec-2012

173 34

168 33 33 163 32 158 32 Level (mAOD) Level Level (mAOD) Level 153 31

148 31

143 30 Nov-14 Mar-15 Jul-15 Nov-15 Mar-16 Jul-16 Nov-16 Mar-17 Jul-17 Nov-14 Mar-15 Jul-15 Nov-15 Mar-16 Jul-16 Nov-16 Mar-17 Jul-17

SOUTHARDS LANE, BOLSOVER Ranking derived from data for the period Jan-1973 to Dec-2012

83 Level (mAOD) Level

79 Nov-14 Mar-15 Jul-15 Nov-15 Mar-16 Jul-16 Nov-16 Mar-17 Jul-17

Midlands Major Reservoirs

Midlands Reservoir Stock Charts

Clywedog Vyrnwy

100 100

90 90

80 80

70 70 capacity 60 60

50 50

40 40 Percentage of live of live capacity Percentage 30 Percentage of live 30

20 20

10 10

0 0 Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Draycote Derwent Reservoirs

100 100

90 90

80 80

70 70

60 60

50 50

40 40 Percentage of live of live capacity Percentage of live capacity Percentage 30 30

20 20

10 10

0 0 Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Carsington and Ogston Tittesworth Reservoir

100 100

90 90

80 80

70 70

60 60

50 50

40 40 Percentage of live of live capacity Percentage of live capacity Percentage 30 30

20 20

10 10

0 0 Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Blithfield Reservoir Dove Reservoir

100 100

90 90

80 80

70 70

60 60

50 50

40 40 Percentage of live of live capacity Percentage Percentage of live of live capacity Percentage 30 30

20 20

10 10

0 0 Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug

Midlands Reservoir Stock Charts

Charnwood Reservoir Elan Reservoir

100 100

90 90

80 80

70 70

60 60

50 50

40 40 Percentage of live of live capacity Percentage of live capacity Percentage 30 30

20 20

10 10

0 0 Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug

Figure 12. 12 month reservoir stocks (source: Severn Trent Water Plc and South Staffordshire Water Plc).

Glossary

Term Definition

Aquifer A geological formation able to store and transmit water. Areal average rainfall The estimated average depth of rainfall over a defined area. Expressed in depth of water (mm). Effective rainfall The rainfall available to percolate into the soil or produce river flow. Expressed in depth of water (mm). Groundwater The water found in an aquifer Recharge The process of increasing the water stored in the saturated zone of an aquifer. Expressed in depth of water (mm). Reservoir live capacity The reservoir capacity normally usable for storage to meet established reservoir operating requirements. It is the total capacity less that not available because of operating agreements or physical restrictions. Only under abnormal conditions, such as a severe water shortage might this additional water be extracted. Soil moisture deficit (SMD) The difference between the amount of water actually in the soil and the amount of water that the soil can hold. Expressed in depth of water (mm). TBR rainfall 1 km2 gridded rainfall data, calculated from a network of tipping bucket rain gauges.

Categories Exceptionally high Value likely to fall within this band 5% of the time Notably high Value likely to fall within this band 8% of the time Above normal Value likely to fall within this band 15% of the time Normal Value likely to fall within this band 44% of the time Below normal Value likely to fall within this band 15% of the time Notably low Value likely to fall within this band 8% of the time Exceptionally low Value likely to fall within this band 5% of the time

Units cumecs Cubic metres per second (m3 s-1) mAOD Metres Above Ordnance Datum (mean sea level at Newlyn Cornwall).