The South East Region received average rainfall during May. The soil moisture deficits have risen as a result of higher evaporation and plant growth and there was little response by the rivers to the rainfall. Groundwater levels and flows remain normal or higher for the time of year after the wet winter .

Rainfall

The South East Region received average rainfall for May. West Thames was slightly wetter than the rest of the Region, with 106% of the long term average . Last y ear, the rainfall during April and May ended the Region – wide drought, with 162% average rainfall being recorded. By contrast , this year the Region received 88% of the long term average rainfall during April and May . The first ten days of the month were largely dry. However, there was widespread rainfall on the 14th when up to 30% of the monthly total fell in the west. The highest total was 22.6mm at Bourton (Cotswolds West). Kent received up to 15mm on the 24th of the month.

Soil Moisture Deficit

Recharge and Groundwater Levels Soil moisture deficits have risen during the month as would be expected at the beginning of the growing season. The deficits were close to average in West Thames, but higher than average for the other three areas. The defi cits were above average for the Region as a whole and t here was little effective rainfall during the month . Groundwater levels are now falling at all the key reporting sites, as would be expected at this time of year. With the exception of Jackaments (Cotswolds), the key sites are at normal or above levels . A number of the Chalk boreholes are at the highest May levels since 2001 as a result of the higher than average rainfall during the last year . Levels at Carisbrooke Castle (Isle of Wight), Stonor (Chil terns West) and Lilley Bottom (Lee Chalk) are all notably high . Levels at Lilley Bottom were the 3rd highest on record and for West Meon the 4 th highest levels for May.

River Flows

River flows are continuing to decline after the peak flows of January an d February. There was very little response to the rainfall on the 14th. All the key sites except the River Teise at Stonebridge have flows normal or above for May, reflecting the local groundwater levels. Bibury (Coln), Eynsham(Thames) and Allbrook and Highbridge (Itchen) have all recorded the 2 nd highest flow s on record for the 5 month period ending in May , and the majority of the ke y reporting sites have had the highest flows averaged over the 5 months to May since 2001. No flood alerts were issued during the m onth and the groundwater flooding alerts were lifted by the end of May .

Reservoir Storage/Water Resource Zone

Reservoir storage remains at or above average for the time of year in the South East . The exception is Darwell reservoir in the Eastern Rother catchment.

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