As part of the advance work for its forthcoming water resources strategy, the Environment Agency has carried out a study of the likely effect of climate change on river flows in England and Wales. This study forecasts that total annual river flow could drop by as much as 10-15% by 2050.

The results show a possible decrease in the summer and autumn months of up to 80% in some areas with an average fall across the country of 50%. They also suggest an increase in flow in the winter, of up to 15%. Overall the Agency says these figures indicate a final outcome of a 10-15% fall across the year.