Case Study :

Drought (England - Summer 1975)

During the summer of 1975, 'blocking' anticyclones diverted the depressions that bring cloud and rain from the Atlantic to the north of Britain. What resulted was a hot, dry summer which caused reservoirs and underground supplies of water to run low. The winter of 1975-6 was also notably dry. Apart from a wet May in northern England, the dry weather continued throughout the country until August 1976.

During June, July and August, England and Wales received over 30% more than their expected amounts of sunshine while some areas in the south and east received over 50% more. They also had less than 60% of their normal rainfall. Water in the soil and reservoirs was lost due to the high rates of evaporation.

Consequences included:

A ban on hose pipes for gardens and cars was imposed in some areas in June, and by August several parts of the country were affected by rationing. Parts of Devon could only obtain water through standpipes for two weeks in late August, and some industries had to close for one or two days each week to save water.

As soils became drier in southern England, the clay shrank and cracked causing buildings to be damaged as their foundations moved.

Farmers were badly hit, as the grass turned brown and stopped growing and crops wilted under the hot sun. Yields of all crops fell while grass was insufficient for cattle.

In southern England, much of the heather growing on the heathlands died due to lack of moisture. As these areas, together with coniferous forests and moorlands in the NW, became very dry, fires broke out causing considerable damage.

Some reservoirs fell to their lowest ever levels. Other reservoirs, in the south and in Wales, dried up completely.

It is obviously impossible to prevent anticyclones moving over the country, however steps can be taken to reduce water consumption at any time. Individuals can not leave taps on and have a shower rather than a bath. Water companies can fix wasteful leaks in pipes. If everybody plays their part, water levels can be kept high so that, even in times of low rainfall, reservoirs need never have to fall to worrying levels.