Drought threat grows in the Cam and Ely Ouse catchment

The Environment Agency has announced that the Cam and Ely Ouse river catchment has moved into a period of developing drought.

Following one of the driest springs on record, river flows and some groundwater levels are ‘below normal’ in locations along the rivers Cam and Ely Ouse. In addition, the soil condition means it is soaking up water fast.

Abstraction licence holders in the most affected areas are likely to receive notice to restrict the amount of water they take as described in their licence conditions. This may include taking reduced quantities or only abstracting at particular times, depending on local circumstances.

The EA said this is the first catchment in the East Anglia area to move to this status, since being in drought recovery following the large amount of rainfall over the 2019 winter.