Britain’s reservoirs finally fill up after wettest March in more than 40 years: Water levels start returning to normal after record falls in summer – as Met Office warns of more rain to come later this week
- Images of Ardingly, Hanningfield and Baitings reservoirs show water levels
- They are significantly higher than last summer – which saw water shortages
Britain’s reservoirs have finally filled up again after the country’s wettest March in more than 40 years, as the Met Office warns of more rain to come later this week.
Water levels appear to have increased, with huge visible differences compared with last summer – when droughts and H20 shortages forced hosepipe bans to be introduced.
Data up to March 30 showed 111.3mm of rain has fallen in the month across the country, 91% more than average.
Before and after images of reservoirs across England show the drastic differences between last week and August.
Shocking photographs compared the difference in water levels at Ardingly Reservoir, West Sussex, between Wednesday March 29 and August 3.
Shocking photographs compared the difference in water levels at Ardingly Reservoir, West Sussex, between Wednesday March 29 and August 3
Photos dated March 30 (top) showing Baitings Reservoir in Ripponden, West Yorkshire, after the recent wet weather throughout March, and on August 12, 2022 (bottom) when the water levels were low
Photos dated April 2 (top) showing Hanningfield Reservoir, in Essex, after the recent wet weather throughout March, and on August 10, 2022 (bottom) during a particularly dry summer
The region had 132.7mm of rainfall during March, more than double the average, making it the wettest since 2001.
It comes after a dry February meant a drop in the amount of water in Ardingly reservoir, according to Environment Agency data.
Stark photographs also show the wildly different water levels at Hanningfield Reservoir, in Essex, over the course of just eight months.
And in Yorkshire, pictures of Baitings Reservoir, Ripponden, showed how significantly water levels had increased between August 12 and Thursday March 30.
Alex Burkill, a Met Office meteorologist, said: ‘Water levels weren’t particularly high going into March, you need several months of wet weather to make a significant impact on reservoirs.
‘March was very wet for West Sussex, the fifth wettest month on record.’
READ MORE: Floods hit Britain: Heavy rain sweeps nation after brutal Storm Mathis deluge with 144 flood warnings – and more downpours on way for Easter
In August 2022, Ardingly reservoir and Hanningfield reservoir in Essex both saw their water level drop by more than a fifth – the largest fall recorded by any reservoir or reservoir group.
Steve Andrews, South East Water’s head of service management, said: ‘Our water resources are in a healthy position at the current time and a little above where we would expect them to be.
‘Over the past three to six months, we have seen the drought conditions experienced during the summer be replaced by a period of exceptionally high rainfall that has had the benefit of replenishing our groundwater sources and reservoirs ready for summer 2023.’
Mr Andrews added: ‘During February, we did see a return to drier conditions, reminding us of the importance of being vigilant, and we are keeping a close watch on conditions as we move into spring.
A dry February meant a drop in the amount of water in Ardingly reservoir (pictured), according to Environment Agency data, but this increased with March’s weather
In Yorkshire, pictures of Baitings Reservoir, Ripponden, showed how significantly water levels had increased between August 12 and Saturday April 1
From Tuesday, frost is expected to return before rainfall in most places. Into the East weekend, forecasters have suggested it could be a ‘fine start to the period’ with a change to milder weather
Photos dated March 29 (top) showing Ardingly Reservoir in West Sussex after the recent wet weather throughout March, and on August 3, 2022 (bottom) just before the introduction of a hosepipe ban due to water shortages in the summer of 2022
After heavy rain in the past week, the River Thames is starting to overflow onto the Thames Path in Old Windsor
The River Thames in Henley breaches its banks flooding the surrounding Thames Path, gardens and jetties
‘As the days lengthen and the temperatures rise, we expect to see a greater demand for water so we will continue to work with our customers by asking them to use water wisely.’
It comes as Britain is set to see some slightly dryer weather over the coming days.
In England, cloud and drizzle is expected for parts of Sunday morning but the whole of the UK is expected to brighten up with sunny spells later in the day, according to the Met Office.
But Sunday evening could see some chilly temperatures and frost in parts of the north west of Scotland, while Northern Ireland is expected to be cloudy. The rest of the UK should be dry and clear for most of Sunday evening.
While brisk wind could be on its way for the south and east of England, Monday should be largely sunny and pleasant elsewhere.
And from Tuesday, frost is expected to return before rainfall in most places.
Into the East weekend, forecasters have suggested it could be a ‘fine start to the period’ with a change to milder weather.
And the pollen count will be medium for much of the south of England and the midlands later this week, as we move towards hay fever season.
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