Support our Nation today - please donate here
News

Wales at risk of drought after dry February

16 Mar 2023 3 minute read
Cantref Reservoir in Brecon Beacons National Park following drought last summer. Photo Ben Birchall PA Images

Despite recent Met Office weather alerts for snow and rain, scientists are warning that some rivers in Wales ran exceptionally low in February.

Last month rain was in short supply with Wales seeing just 22% of its average and reservoir levels were at their lowest for February since 1996, according to data from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.

River flows were below-average across much of Wales in too – with many recording around a third of their average monthly flow.

The River Erch in north Wales broke its records for lowest water levels in February.

Although rainy weather in March has rewetted ground, a return to drier conditions could lead to water resource pressures during the summer months.

Map: UK Centre for Hydrology & Ecology.

Depleted

Experts have warned “unseasonably sustained” rainfall will be needed during the coming months to refill reservoir stocks currently depleted following the dry winter.

Almost all of the UK was drier than normal in February and according to the Met Office’s three-month forecast, the chances of a dry spring are higher than normal.

Drought was declared in Wales last summer following record breaking temperatures and an extended dry spell leading to hosepipe bans, farmers losing crops and some wildlife dying.

Wales’s reservoirs supply up to 243 billion litres of water to England every year with water from Elan Valley supplied to Birmingham and water from Lake Vyrnwy is supplied to Cheshire and Liverpool.

Proposals made earlier this month could see a new pipeline to transfer water from Powys to London and other parts of south-east England.

Catherine Sefton, Hydrologist from UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology said: “Total rainfall for Wales overall last month was only 22% of the average rainfall for February in Wales.

“This meant that river flows across Wales were low – notably or exceptionally so – resulting in total outflows from Welsh rivers that were the lowest on record for February (in a series from 1961).

“River flows have responded to the rainfall so far in March, but further rainfall this month and in the coming months will be beneficial for replenishing reservoir stocks, which last month were the lowest for February since 1996.

“However, the February Met Office outlook for March to May was for a higher than normal chance of a dry spring.”


Support our Nation today

For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
9 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
1 year ago

We must assume from that useless graphic that the rivers of Meirionnydd are in good shape.

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
1 year ago
Reply to  Mab Meirion

Millions of dead fish in Darling river in SW Australia…

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
1 year ago
Reply to  Mab Meirion

Global water demand will outstrip supply by 40% by 2030, say experts…in the Guardian…where else !

Last edited 1 year ago by Mab Meirion
The original mark
The original mark
1 year ago

About time the Welsh government grew a pair, and claim ownership of our most important natural resource.

Glen
Glen
1 year ago

Rivers in south Wales were all in full spate this afternoon.
Stop scaremongering.

Malcolm Jones
Malcolm Jones
1 year ago

Stop the English stealing our water and start paying for it

Brechdan Wncomunco
1 year ago
Reply to  Malcolm Jones

Absolutely build dams across Welsh rivers where they cross the border. Build the dam to the top of the valley. No water should escape.

Y Cymro
Y Cymro
1 year ago

Water rich Wales risks drought but Whitehall continues to make preparations to network water from Welsh reservoirs to quench the English South/East thirst. And even though our Senedd Cymru has shared water powers our government cannot stop the fascist English Conservatives from this resource rape. We don’t live in a democracy but a dictocracy where what England wants it takes from Wales for nothing and with impunity.

Brechdan Wncomunco
1 year ago
Reply to  Y Cymro

Twpsyn.

Our Supporters

All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018.