Drought in the Trent – what it means for our rivers and wildlife

Record-breaking dry weather spells trouble for wildlife, as the Trent and Dove see water levels drop by 50%.

As of this week, drought has been declared in the East and West Midlands, an area that covers large parts of the Trent and its tributaries. The news comes as Met Office data reveals March-June totals were the driest on record for the Severn-Trent region – rainfall dropped to less than half the region would see in a typical year. In June, stretches of the Trent and Dove saw river levels fall to half of the 1991−2020 average, while other tributaries, including Soar and Derbyshire Derwent, recorded ‘notably low’ flow levels.

Just like us, wildlife is feeling the heat.
As a charity working across the entire Trent catchment, we have seen large stretches of countryside dried out – wetlands and ponds vanished at an alarming rate. The lack of replenishing rain adds pressure on the few habitats that remain or have been restored. This leads to overcrowding. Wetland birds, for example, will need to migrate to different habitats, where they compete with other wildlife for limited resources.

In the river, hot weather and low flows can have dire impacts, leading to concentrated pollutants, reduced oxygen levels, and higher temperatures. Without access to cooler refuges, particularly cold-water species, such as salmon or trout, are at risk. An increase in temperature can cause huge stress and, ultimately, prove lethal.
Higher water temperatures, combined with excess nutrients, can also encourage toxic algal blooms that deplete oxygen levels and suffocate river life.

National Park rivers are particularly vulnerable to low flows
Headwater rivers are likely to feel the heat and pressure from low flows the most. Hot temperatures, little rainfall, naturally low flow levels, and inadequate water infrastructure expose rivers to high levels of concentrated pollution. Research on pharmaceutical pollution in the Peak District’s village of Tideswell, for example, reveals that the river is particularly vulnerable to chemicals, including anti-depressants or heart medication.

We’re missing out on BIG solutions powered by nature

Climate change compounds the issues our rivers are already experiencing. Poor water quality, degraded habitat, depleted soils and obstacle-riddled rivers can offer little resilience to heat or low flows.

On the flipside, this means that solutions to restore the Trent and its tributaries are right here at our fingertips:

  • Trees (in the right places) can provide cooling shade that reduces water temperature by up to 6 degrees Celsius.
  • Healthy soils can not only improve food production, but retain water, slow the flow and replenish groundwater.
  • Generous river buffers, wetlands, rivers connected to their floodplain afford more space for nature and wildlife, even as some vanish.
  • Connected rivers with a variety of shaded habitats and deep pools are a sign of a healthy river in normal conditions and a lifeline for fish when rivers run low and temperatures high.

    You can help

    It’s clear that far-reaching solutions require a systemic long-term approach. From fixing leaky water infrastructure unfit for purpose, restoring landscapes and rivers to better cope with drought and deluge, to reducing the consumption of water at times of low flow.
    Nonetheless, everyone can be part of the solution, take action at home and also add your voice to the #makingmorespaceforwater petition, so our rivers can withstand drought and heat.

    For some simple actions you can take right now, here are some tips the Rivers Trust has put together:

    In the home

  • Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth, shaving or washing up. It’s easy to forget, but this simple habit can save up to 9 litres every minute.
  • Only boil what you need. Whether it’s the kettle or a saucepan, using less water means using less energy too.
  • Showers instead of baths. A quick five-minute shower can use half the water of a standard bath.
  • An easy upgrade for your toilet. A water-saving device in your cistern can cut down each flush by 1 to 3 litres.
  • Fix that leak. Dripping and leaky taps waste an average of 13 litres per day.
  • Use when full. Dishwashers are surprisingly often more efficient than washing up by hand but make sure to fully load it before running, the same goes for washing machines.
  • Save and reuse. Cooking pasta or rinsing veg? Use that water on your plants instead of pouring it down the drain. Similarly, if you need to run your tap for a while before it gets hot, collect that water and use it in the garden.

    Speaking of the garden

  • Use a can, not a hose. A watering can uses far less water and gets it right where your plants need it. No more watering the patio!
  • Water in the early morning or evening to minimise evaporation.
  • Catch the rain. Install a water butt or barrel to collect rainwater for the garden or car.
  • Add mulch on top of your soil to help it retain moisture and reduce the need for watering.
  • Leave the lawn. Grass turning brown is natural in dry spells and it’ll bounce back with the rain. Plus, sprinklers can use up to 1000 litres of water an hour, which is more than a family of four uses in the home in a single day! You can also let it grow a little longer to help the soil to retain moisture

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