Scottish rivers: SEPA say several rivers close to having 'critically low' water levels

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has announced six areas experiencing moderate scarcity - including the River Don and the Firth of Tay - and are estimated to be around two weeks away from significant scarcity.

It is the third time this year that river levels in eastern Scotland have been approaching significant scarcity.

Scotland was placed under some level of water scarcity warning in May after the driest start to the year in six decades.

Eilidh Johnston, SEPA’s senior manager in water industry and rural economy, said: “Rivers in eastern Scotland remain under sustained pressure.

“Approaching significant scarcity for the third time this year in some areas highlights the vulnerability of eastern Scotland's water environment.

“Throughout the spring and summer, we’ve been working closely with abstractors in the areas most at risk - including calling licence holders directly.

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“We’ll also continue to work with organisations like NFUS, Scotch Whisky Association and Scottish Golf to ensure advice is shared and impacts are understood.”

What’s happening?

Some rivers in the east of Scotland are once again approaching critical low flow levels and a number of areas are around two weeks away from potential significant scarcity.

The first was in May during a dry spell of hot, dry weather and it happened again in July after several weeks of high temperatures and little rain. On both occasions rainfall arrived just before regulatory action was required.

However, river flows in these areas have never fully recovered to normal, leaving them vulnerable to the current conditions.

Following a very dry autumn and winter, rivers entered spring with below-average levels.

SEPA say a dry spring and summer have compounded the situation.

While the west is mostly back to normal conditions following rain at the start of June, rivers in the east remain particularly vulnerable due to the rain shadow effect and the way these rivers are fed by snowmelt and groundwater.

Recent rain has not been enough to offset months of low rainfall as much of the water from showers and downpours runs off quickly rather than soaking in.

Which rivers are affected?

Water scarcity is a situation where the demand for water exceeds the available supply.

SEPA’s latest weekly Water Scarcity Report shows six river catchments remain at moderate scarcity – the Deveron, Ythan, Don and Esk in the north east as well as Firth of Tay and Tyne in Lothian.

There are now six catchments on alert, with the River Almond and Tweed joining Findhorn, Spey, Dee and Firth of Forth.

Orkney, Thurso and Clyde have been raised to an early warning.

The warning by Sepa was issued just hours before heavy downpours caused flash flooding in Dundee and mudslides in Aberdeenshire. The Met Office had issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms.

However, Sepa says the ground is often so dry that rainfall is running off rather than soaking into the ground.