1368

							                                          Reservoir Watch 2012

   Reservoir           May           Jun            Jul          Change in          Minimum
    group              2012          2012          2012           Jun - Jul       historical* Jul
                      Holding       Holding       Holding          period         holding (Year)
Kennet &                                                                              67.3%
                       78.4%         76.0%          89.7%         +13.7%
Avon Canal                                                                            (2005)
                                                                                      52.2%
Oxford & GU            86.4%         89.7%          97.2%          +7.3%
                                                                                      (2011)
                                                                                      72.5%
GU South               75.5%         89.5%          92.5%          +3.0%
                                                                                      (2006)
                                                                                      34.2%
GU North               100%          100%           100%             0%
                                                                                      (2011)
Lancaster                                                                             56.4%
                       100%          95.0%          100%           +5.0%
Canal                                                                                 (2010)
Leeds &
                                                                                       28.6%
Liverpool              97.9%         89.5%          99.3%          +9.8%
                                                                                       (2010)
Canal
Peak Forest &
                                                                                       54.6%
Macclesfield           99.9%         100%           98.3%          -1.7%
                                                                                       (2003)
Canal
                                                                                       60.2%
Caldon Canal           90.1%         91.5%          88.9%          -2.6%
                                                                                       (2011)
Huddersfield                                                                           44.5%
                       100%          85.5%          98.4%         +12.9%
Narrow Canal                                                                           (2010)
Chesterfield                                                                           69.0%
                       100%          97.7%          100%           +2.3%
Canal                                                                                  (2005)
Grantham                                                                               89.1%
                       100%          100%           100%             0%
Canal                                                                                  (2006)
Birmingham
                                                                                       26.9%
Canal                  51.1%         52.5%          60.4%          +7.9%
                                                                                       (2011)
Navigations
Staffs &
Worcs,                                                                                 69.3%
                       90.3%         91.9%          97.7%          +5.8%
Shropshire                                                                             (2010)
Union
* for the purposes of this analysis, historical holdings cover 1998-2012 reservoir holding data, inclusive.

It was the wettest June across the UK in the series from 1910 (wetter than June 2007), and the equal-
wettest June in the England and Wales series from 1766 (shared with June 1860). Almost all areas
were much wetter than normal, especially across much of England and Wales, which had 229% of
Long Term Average rainfall for the month.

The Met Office rainfall anomaly graphs and maps for June can be found at the following links:
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/anomalygraphs/2012/2012_Rainfall_Anomaly_1971-2000.gif
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/anomacts/2012/6/2012_6_Rainfall_Anomaly_1971-2000.gif

The effect of the well above average rainfall in April and June, with broadly average rainfall in May,
has been a considerable improvement in river flows and groundwater levels compared with their
position in early spring, at which time there were widespread concerns with drought in the midlands
and south. In recent weeks, some parts of the country have experienced serious surface water and
river flooding, causing disruption and damage in a number of locations. Flooding has affected the
Rochdale Canal and the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, amongst others.

In terms of the water resources for the Canal & River Trust, the considerable rainfall and associated
                                            th
runoff into our reservoirs, meant that on 15 June we were able to remove all restrictions to navigation
that had been in place since early March. All reservoir groups are currently in a good position, with
holdings at or above Long Term Average for this time of year, and there are excellent prospects for
having sufficient water to maintain navigation demands for the rest of the main boating season.




                                                                                            DOCUMENT1, page 1 of 2
                                                                                    Last Updated: 03/10/2012 16:47:00,
As always, boaters are advised to sign up for email notifications of restrictions at:
http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/boating/navigating-the-waterways/route-planning-stoppages-and-
restrictions


Issued by:
Water Management team, British Waterways
13 July 2012



Annex 1 – Canal & River Trust reservoir groups
Reservoir data presented is from week ending Monday 9 July 2012, along with data from the nearest
comparable date in May and June.

 Group name            Reservoirs within group
 Kennet & Avon         Crofton [this is a principally spring-fed reservoir, and its yield is therefore
 Canal                 greater than the storage volume indicates]
 Oxford & GU           Boddington, Wormleighton, Clattercote, Naseby, Sulby, Welford, Drayton,
                       Daventry
 GU South              Startopsend, Wilstone, Marsworth, Tringford
 GU North              Saddington
 Lancaster Canal       Killington
 Leeds & Liverpool     Rishton, Barrowford, Upper & Lower Foulridge, Slipper Hill, Whitemoor &
 Canal                 Winterburn
 Peak Forest &
 Macclesfield
 Canal                 Sutton, Bosley, Toddbrook & Combs
 Caldon Canal          Rudyard, Stanley, Knypersley
 Huddersfield
 Narrow Canal          Sparth, Slaithwaite, Diggle
 Chesterfield Canal    Harthill and Pebbly
 Grantham Canal        Knipton & Denton
 Birmingham Canal
 Navigations           Windmill, Terry's, Engine, Cofton, Upper Bittell, Rotton Park, Chasewater
 Staffs & Worcs,
 Shropshire Union      Belvide, Gailey Upper, Gailey Lower & Calf Heath




                                                                                    DOCUMENT1, page 2 of 2
                                                                            Last Updated: 03/10/2012 16:47:00,