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Environment Agency Hydrometry and Telemetry Summary from heavy rainfall event – 26th to 29th October 2021

Posted: 03/11/21

Summary of Hydrometry & Telemetry network

Overview

Heavy and persistent rainfall fell over Cumbria and Lancashire between the 26th and 29th October 2021, significant rainfall totals fell over Central and Western Cumbria in particular. As a result Flood warnings were issued at a number of locations and unfortunately a number of communities and properties were flooded.

Rainfall

Significant rainfall totals were recorded across Cumbria and Lancashire for the 72 hour period between the 26th and 29th October with some sites receiving more than a months’ worth of rainfall within this 3 day period. The table below summarises the 72 hour total rainfall and comparison with the LTA (1961-1990) monthly rainfall for October at a few selected sites and catchments across CLA that had either Flood Warning Areas activated or any notable totals.

Raingauge Nearby active FW area October LTA (mm) 71hr total (09:00 26th Oct – 09:00 29th) – mm 72hr period % of LTA
Ennerdale River Ehen at Egremont,
Bleach Green, Ennerdale Mill,
Bridge End, Vale View, Wood
Bank, Rugby Club
212 165.2 77.9
Ennerdale Black Sail River Ehen at Egremont,
Bleach Green, Ennerdale Mill,
Bridge End, Vale View, Wood
Bank, Rugby Club
310 276 89.0
Summergrove River Ehen at Egremont,
Bleach Green, Ennerdale Mill,
Bridge End, Vale View, Wood
Bank, Rugby Club
148.2 130 87.7
Dalehead River Greta at Keswick,
Keswick Campsite, Rugby
Club and Quinta
246 240.4 97.7
Honister Pass River Greta at Keswick,
Keswick Campsite, Rugby
Club and Quinta
388.4 399.2 102.8
Seathwaite Farm River Greta at Keswick,
Keswick Campsite, Rugby
Club and Quinta
364 340.8 93.6
Thirlmere River Greta at Keswick,
Keswick Campsite, Rugby
Club and Quinta
247.5 206 83.2
Kentmere River Kent at Burneside,
Steels Row and Carling steps
215.2 171 79.5
Tower Wood Windermere (Lake levels) 176.4 117.27 66.5
Mickleden River Rothay at Grasmere,
White Bridge and Stock Lane
315 258.6 82.1
Brathay Hall River Rothay at Grasmere,
White Bridge and Stock Lane
220.5 177.6 80.5

*no active Flood Waring area but notable rainfall amounts

Conistion Coppermines Crake 279.3 322 115.3
Ulpha Duddon 234.9 202.8 86.3
Brotherswater Eden 177.6 256 92.7

 

Rainfall total comparisons for previous flood incidents can been seen below for selected sites against two of the major floods to affect the area in 2009 and 2015 to give an illustration of the magnitude of the recent incident:

Raingauge 72hr total (09:00 26th – 09:00 29th Oct 2021) – mm 72hr total from Storm
Desmond – 09:00 3rd
to 09:00 6th Dec 2015
(mm)
72hr total from 09:00
17th to 09:00 20th Nov
2009 (mm)
Ennerdale 165.2 98 181.6
Ennerdale Black Sail 276 282.4 364.8
Summergrove 130 60.6 81.2
Dalehead 240.4 376.8 292.8
Honister Pass 399.2 427.8 454.4
Seathwaite Farm 340.8 277.8 456.4
Thirlmere 206 450.2 265.8
Kentmere 171 255.8 202.2
Tower Wood 117.27 174 160.7
Mickledon 258.6 231.2 309.2
Brathay Hall 177.6 273.6 238.6
Ulpha 202.8 103 230.4
Brotherswater 256 419.1 293.2

 

River Levels and Flows

A number of catchments across South, central and western Cumbria recorded significant high river levels in the top 10 on record. In particular in the Derwent, Cocker, Ehen, Leven, Duddon and Crake catchments appear to have experienced the top 5 highest levels/flows ever.

Flood flow at Ouse Bridge Gauging station on the River Derwent taken at 5:20 (GMT) on Thursday 28th October. Stage was approximately 2.7m and corresponding flow approximately 130m3/s.

 

*** Please be aware that all data provided in this report has not been validated and therefore subject to change following the validation process***

For more information, download the Environment Agency Summary here.