Regular rainfall was acquired throughout most of Thames space in June. Nonetheless, this rain largely solely fell on just a few days and appeared to have little to no impact on river flows and groundwater ranges over the month. Soil Moisture Deficits elevated throughout a lot of the space and soils have been drier than usually anticipated for the time of yr. Month-to-month imply river flows decreased in any respect of our indicator websites in June, with the bulk recording regular circulation. Groundwater ranges in any respect our indicator boreholes continued to say no into summer season, with all boreholes remaining at ranges regular or above for the time of yr, with one being notably excessive. Regardless of regular rainfall over the earlier three months, there have been 11 abstraction licences being constrained by the tip of June.
1. Rainfall
Thames space acquired 39 mm of rainfall in June, 71% of the long run common ( LTA ). Regular rainfall was recorded throughout a lot of the space, with three items within the south of the realm (Decrease Wey, North Downs Hampshire & Wey Greensand) recording beneath regular rain. Most rainfall was recorded on 3 days, with the 11, 19 and 28 June receiving three quarters of the month’s whole. Nearly all of Thames space has recorded above regular rainfall over the previous six months.
2. Soil moisture deficit and recharge
Regardless of the largely regular rainfall for Thames space, plant progress and a really heat June allowed soil moisture deficits to persist, they usually ended the month at 84mm, increased than the LTA of 61mm. Negligible efficient rainfall occurred throughout the realm consequently.
3. River flows
Month-to-month imply river flows decreased in any respect of our indicator websites in June. Nearly all of our indicator websites recorded regular flows, except for the River Kennet at Marlborough (notably excessive) and the River Thame at Wheatley (exceptionally low). The month-to-month imply flows recorded throughout Thames Space in June mirror the very ‘common’ rainfall and groundwater situations which have occurred in previous months.
4. Groundwater ranges
Groundwater ranges in any respect our indicator websites have been of their seasonal decline on the finish of June. Groundwater ranges at Stonor within the Chalk remained regular for a second month in a row after having been beneath regular for over a yr main as much as April. In response to the decrease than common recharge, 4 websites out of 11 declined to decrease bandings in comparison with the earlier month. Regardless of this seasonal decline, groundwater ranges remained both regular or above in any respect our indicator websites, with the degrees at Fringford within the Nice Oolites being notably excessive, having dropped from exceptionally excessive in Could.
5. Reservoir shares
Reservoir capability at Farmoor was excessive all through June, ending the month on 98%, which is above the LTA on the finish of the month. Capability on the Decrease Thames reservoirs was additionally excessive ending the month on 96%, which is above the LTA on the finish of the month.
6. Environmental impression
All through June, there have been three flood alerts issued on rivers within the space. On the finish of June, 11 abstraction licenses have been being constrained within the space to guard water assets and the surroundings.
Writer: Thames Space Groundwater Sources and Hydrology, enquiriesWT@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Phone: 0203 025 9659
All knowledge are provisional and could also be topic to revision. The views expressed on this doc will not be essentially these of the Atmosphere Company. Its officers, servants or brokers settle for no legal responsibility for any loss or harm arising from the interpretation or use of the data, or reliance upon views contained on this report.