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Solent and South Downs Area - latest water levels

Find out about the water situation in Solent and South Downs Area - updated 1 May 2012.

We have a network of hydrometric stations throughout Hampshire, West Sussex and the Isle of Wight which collect data for river level and river flow, rainfall and groundwater levels in order to monitor the hydrological cycle.

This data allows us to assess and allocate water resources, to manage rivers and catchments, manage droughts and provide flood warnings. In the longer term, data is shared with other organisations, for example in engineering design work and research into climate change.

Many of these stations have telephone lines attached to the sensing equipment so that data can be sent directly to central computers. This telemetry has improved our flood warning service because we know the intensity of rain falling across the area, the flows in our rivers and changes in groundwater levels at any time.

View the graphs below which show flows in the River Itchen and River Test, groundwater levels at six sites across the area and rainfall recorded at Andover, Chilgrove (near Chichester) and Otterbourne (near Winchester). The graphs compare current data with the average and the previous maximum and minimum values.

This is the latest information we have gathered from our telemetry equipment which is based at remote stations across Solent and South Downs area. It gives an overview of recent trends in water levels but has not been subject to quality control. If you need quality controlled data from our sites, please contact the Hydrometry and Telemetry team in Solent and South Downs on 03708 506 506.

Groundwater update

We produce groundwater updates when water levels in our area are high. New updates are produced when the situation changes.

Download graphs

If you would like to receive updates by e-mail, please contact us with your details: