A dry autumn and early winter has caused a delayed start to groundwater recharge.
February’s rainfall was generally average but a further two month’s average rainfall - and in many places above average rainfall - are required to get conditions back to normal.
In response to broadly average rainfall during February most river flows are classified as ‘normal’ although groundwater-dominated sections are still below normal.
Groundwater levels give a clearer indication of the overall state of water resources because they largely determine the level of base-flows in rivers during the summer months ahead.
Groundwater levels are currently classified as ‘normal’ or ‘below normal’ with the ‘below normal’ sites tending to be in the south and south-east catchments.
More detailed information can be found in the Environment Agency’s water situation reports for England.
Some controls on surface water abstraction in the East of England are possible during the season if the weather is hot and dry. Controls on abstraction from groundwater are possible in small, sensitive groundwater areas.