Meteorologically, 2011 was a remarkable year: it was the second warmest in the UK temperature record (from 1910) and was notable for extreme regional disparities in rainfall receipt – with continuing drought conditions in the English Lowlands contrasting dramatically with Scotland, which had its wettest year on record.
The above analysis is contained within the latest monthly hydrological summary (for December 2011) produced by the National Hydrological Monitoring Programme, operated by the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology in conjunction with the British Geological Survey.
Stocks increased in most UK reservoirs (and are healthy in a majority of gravity-fed impoundments), with particularly useful increases in the southwest, but they remain below average across much of southern England. Levels are particularly depressed at Bewl and Ardingly.
Concern for the groundwater resources outlook increased in December. Whilst muted recoveries were initiated in parts of the southern Chalk and more responsive aquifers during December, groundwater levels remain notably low across the Chalk and parts of the West Midlands, with exceptionally dry soils (for the time of year) continuing to inhibit infiltration in eastern areas.
2011 ended on a stormy note, with high winds and heavy rainfall, but the brunt of the storms was borne by upland areas. In the English lowlands, the frontal systems had limited impact, yielding average December rainfall which, whilst welcome following the dry autumn, was not sufficient to significantly relieve drought stress. Similarly, widespread and common flood alerts in northern Britain contrasted with seasonally depressed flows in the English lowlands.
Jamie Hannaford from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology said, “Over the next 10 – 12 weeks substantially above average rainfall is needed in some areas of England to improve the water resources outlook for the rest of 2012.”
The Centre for Ecology & Hydrology jointly operates the National Hydrological Monitoring Programme (NHMP) in conjunction with the British Geological Survey. NHMP scientists produce the UK Monthly Hydrological Summary which assesses rainfall, river flows, groundwater and reservoir levels. They also operate the National River Flow archive. The NHMP has a remit to analyse major flood and drought events in the UK and analyse long term trends in UK hydrological data. The Programme was set up in 1988 and relies on the active co-operation of measuring authorities throughout the UK.
Additional information
Read the full December 2011 Hydrological Summary for the UK [PDF, 2.5mb].
Hydrological summary archive – dating back to March 1997
Details of the National Hydrological Monitoring Programme
Datasets hosted by CEH: National River Flow Archive, National Water Archive and others
Media enquiries related to the Hydrological Summaries should be directed to the CEH Press Office. Our scientists can provide explanation and analysis of historic hydrological patterns, possible future scenarios under climate change and scientific understanding of the current situation. We are not able to comment on immediate operational issues.
If you wish to reproduce figures from the Monthly Hydrological Summary please respect the copyright credits contained within the document.
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I remember this analysis from last December. It really is remarkable to see as the years go on our need for groundwater is increasing while the availability of groundwater is decreasing. It is decreasing at an alarming rate.
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