Yorkshire in drought with low water levels in reservoirs after dry spring

Independent

a day ago

(Adds pars 13 and 16 with additional context. Adds 22-24 with Canal & River Trust comment)
Yorkshire is now in drought because of declining river flows and ground water levels following one of the driest springs on record.
The Environment Agency (EA) said Yorkshire has moved from 'prolonged dry weather' to 'drought' status on Thursday.
This means the county is facing a shortage of water after a prolonged period of low rainfall.
Yorkshire Water said the drought status does not immediately change the situation for customers but water restrictions – such as a hose pipe ban – are possible this summer unless the county sees 'significant rainfall' in the coming months.
It follows the declaration of drought for the north west of England at the end of May, which covers Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire, and Cumbria and Lancashire.
The UK saw its hottest spring on record and the driest conditions for decades, putting crops and habitats under pressure and prompting warnings to millions of households that they may face water restrictions this summer.
Claire Barrow, Yorkshire environment, planning and engagement manager at the Environment Agency, said: 'Our climate is changing, and we had 22 days of almost no recorded rainfall in May.
'We are working with Yorkshire Water to make sure they enact their drought plans.
'We also encourage people to be aware of the environmental impacts of droughts as we enter the summer period and note the small steps we can all take to save water.'
Water Minister Emma Hardy said: 'I am receiving regular updates from the Environment Agency.
'I'm doing everything in my power to hold Yorkshire Water to account to ensure we have the regular supply of water that is needed across the region.'
Met Office statistics show that West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire and South Yorkshire saw just 40%, 43%, 40% and 41% of the average rainfall for March, April and May.
Spring 2025 was also Yorkshire's warmest spring for mean temperature since records began in 1884, according to the forecasters.
Following recent wet weather, rainfall levels in Yorkshire have returned to around average for June so far.
The Environment Agency said this has helped to stabilise the situation and improve reservoir levels but not enough to avoid drought.
Yorkshire Water said its reservoir stocks dropped 0.51% over the last week to 62.3%, which is still significantly below the average of 85.5% for this time of year.
Dave Kaye, director of water at Yorkshire Water, said: 'We've seen water demand decrease in recent weeks thanks to the welcome rainfall and the efforts of our customers to save water.
'Without significant rainfall in the coming months, temporary usage restrictions are a possibility.'
Mr Kaye said that the declaration of drought does not immediately change the situation for customers but added that the firm will continue to work closely with the Environment Agency to manage resources carefully and move water around the region to areas that need it most.
'We have 100 additional colleagues tackling leakage in the field and we'd like to thank customers for continuing to report leaks to us so we can repair them as soon as possible,' he said.
There is already a number of closures and restrictions in place to preserve water across the Canal and River Trust network, predominantly on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
Canal & River Trust said in a statement: 'In Yorkshire, we've had to ask boaters to temporarily stop using locks along stretches of a small number of canals, to help conserve water to keep boats afloat and protect wildlife.
'The vast majority of our canals remain open and the recent rainfall is helping to top up our canal's feeder rivers and reservoirs.
'The public can help us to preserve water by reporting leaks and any lock gates and paddles that have been left open.'
Periods of dry weather and low rivers can affect wildlife, with low oxygen levels in water killing fish and leading to more algal blooms.
The Environment Agency said it has moved more than 500 native, white-clawed crayfish to a safer location as experts are concerned about water flow in the area.
Scientists have warned that drought conditions will become more intense in the UK with climate change, putting strain on water resources.
Dr Jess Neumann, associate professor of hydrology at the University of Reading, said: 'The drought announcement in Yorkshire comes only a few weeks after parts of north-west England declared a drought.
'An unseasonably dry spring, the driest in nearly 90 years means many reservoir levels are only 60-65% full, well below the 80-85% average for this time of year.
'The lack of rainfall is placing significant strain on public water supply, affecting agricultural crop production, and harming wildlife and the environment.'
Dr Neumann added that drought status in two large areas of England 'raises important questions about the security of our water in the long term'.
'It is no longer abundant and plentiful. We urgently need to adjust to a future of climate change and water stress,' she said.
While the north west of England and Yorkshire are now in drought, three other areas – the North East, Yorkshire, East and West Midlands – are also experiencing prolonged dry weather.
Last week, officials said reservoir levels across England fell to new lows as the Environment Agency held its latest national drought group meeting of key players.