Extended periods of hot and dry weather have taken a toll on reservoirs and canals
Shocking photos show grass is growing in reservoirs and canals, which have been left dry following months of minimal rain. Jumbles Reservoir and Wayoh Reservoir, in Lancashire, are turning green with grass and other vegetation as low levels continue.
So far this year, the UK has experienced four widespread heatwaves. With two weeks still to go until the end of meteorological summer, the country will have one of its warmest summers on record, with both maximum and minimum temperatures significantly above average in 2025, according to Met Office data.
Water company United Utilities says levels in the north west have dipped to 54 per cent, compared with 75 per cent at the same point last year. In the Pennines, reservoirs are at just 36 per cent of capacity – well below levels at the same point last year of 67 per cent.
Canals going into cities, including Manchester and Leeds, have had to close due to low levels. Boaters on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, Ashton Canal, Rochdale Canal, and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal have been left unable to move because of the low levels.
The Canal and River Trust, which manages the canals, said dry weather and heatwaves were to blame for the low levels. Earlier, the Canal and River Trust’s Matthew Symonds said: “Our canal network is feeling the strain after one of the driest springs on record and several heatwaves already this summer.
“On-the-ground teams are carrying out numerous tasks to manage water. Including manually operating pumps, sealing up lock gates with ash, putting in stop planks, making ‘quick win’ leak repairs, checking flow gauges, and keeping feeders clear.
“Volunteer lock keepers are working with boaters to manage boat traffic at lock flights to save as much water as possible. Behind the scenes, our hydrology experts are keeping a day-to-day view of levels and planning for a range of scenarios based on projected demand and rainfall to see how to make best use of the available water.”
Grant Batty, water services director at United Utilities, praised customers for ‘doing their bit’. He said: “We want to thank our customers for everything they have been doing to help protect water supplies and we’re asking them to continue to do their bit.
“74% of customers are aware of the impact of dry weather on water resources, and we have seen a fantastic response from customers with increased leak reporting and a reduction in demand. In some areas we’ve seen a great response to free home water audits, which helps customers to take practical steps such as fixing leaky loos to save water and money on their bills.
“We are working hard to carefully manage our water resources through our vast integrated network of pipes to move water around from one part of the region to another, where it is needed and will continue to monitor the situation daily to ensure we manage and balance the water needs of people and the environment in the best possible way.”