Record June temperatures result in water stock and river flow declines

The hottest June on record, with a peak temperature of 32.2ºC, has seen reservoir and groundwater levels and river flows decline, according to the National Drought Group which met last week.

As of 20 June, total reservoir stocks for England were at 83% of their total capacity. Devon, Cornwall and parts of East Anglia remain in drought. In the Lake District, Haweswater and Thirlmere saw a decrease of 13% in reservoir stocks between the end of April and end of May 2023, while in the North East, the Teesdale reservoir group saw a 13% drop over this time.

Meanwhile the group pointed out the natural environment continues to take time to recuperate from the impacts of last summer, with the Environment Agency is also focusing ongoing efforts on monitoring how fish and invertebrates are recovering from drought. Facilitating fish rescues and providing advice to fishery owners has been a key activity following hundreds of category 1-3 fish kill incidents so far this year.

The group noted the need to improve drought management and response, given bouts of hot dry weather are becoming more consistent. The Agency has already operated transfer schemes to manage water supplies during low flows including the Severn Regulation and pumping schemes in East Anglia and Lincolnshire.