Drought order proposed to conserve water in River Severn

The Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales have submitted an application for a drought order for the River Severn, due to an extraordinary lack of rainfall affecting the area.

If granted, the drought order will be in effect for up to six months, aiming to preserve water resources within the Llyn Clywedog reservoir at the head of the River Severn in Wales.

The measures proposed include limiting reservoir releases to 300 megalitres per day, lowering prescribed flow targets at Bewdley, and implementing a five per cent reduction on licensed water abstractions by water companies.

The order also seeks to impose a 300 megalitre per day cap on abstractions at Gloucester Docks for the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal when the flow at Deerhurst or Haw Bridge gauge falls below 1,200 megalitres per day.

H2 - Protecting Ecology and Water Resources

The drought order is designed to ensure continued water flow along the River Severn, thereby safeguarding migratory fish and local ecology.

Continuous releases have significantly lowered water levels in the Llyn Clywedog Reservoir, making it necessary to enact operational changes to conserve water resources.

Impacts and Recovery

Without the drought order, there's a risk that the reservoir could run dry, potentially leading to parts of the upper Severn drying out.

This situation would result in record low flows and could affect the river environment, but the impacts are expected to be temporary.

An improvement is anticipated with the return of normal rainfall, allowing natural recovery within one to three years.

Members of the public can inspect the proposal document and associated map until 25th August 2026 at designated Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales offices, as well as local libraries.

Objections can be submitted to both Defra and the Welsh Government until 5 pm on the same date, either via email or in writing.

You can read the application on the GOV.UK website.

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