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Original poster

Did anyone else know that the reservoirs are running so low? Wildlife must be struggling.

62 replies

hajbajkajlad · 20/07/2025 08:20

I just saw a couple of photos from the other thread, the hosepipe ban one.
I'm a bit worried about this.

We've been exceptionally warm for spring, I've put out water bowls for animals and watered the young trees planted recently (the leaves were curling it's been so dry)
I haven't seen any hedgehogs this year at all, no frogs and less birds than usual. we have a small pond in the garden that usually attracts lots of visitors.

Aibu to be worried about the wildlife?
I wish there was more that I could do.

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EBearhug · 20/07/2025 08:45

so what animals did before humans was a) not suffer such harsh conditions
b) hop over to a water source now long, long gone

c) die

Animal populations fluctuate in part due to weather conditions. Wet and cold summers aren't great for many small species in particular, neither are really dry ones.

ButtSurgery · 20/07/2025 08:45

South West Water for example:

https://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/current-reservoir-levels

But almost all our water comes from rivers, not just theses lakes or reservoirs, which is why it's so soft. And why it's so easy for the public to see the levels.

If you're in the Southern Water area, it's 70% groundwater they have to pump out from beneath rock etc which is why it's so hard. And more difficult to see the levels publicly.

Current reservoir levels

See the current water levels in our reservoirs.

https://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/current-reservoir-levels

EBearhug · 20/07/2025 08:43

It's hardly a surprise. We've had rain the last couple of days (though not all day,) and that's about the first time it's rained enough to get wet under the cars since April, apart from one day, I think. We've had about 5 showers over 3 months or so, and it never got wet under my hedge or anything.

Even if there were better water management, they can't change the fact we just haven't has water falling from the sky like normal.

Jennps · 20/07/2025 08:43

insomniaclife · 20/07/2025 08:41

What a dick response.
it is humans who have concreted over, intensively farmed, invented flushing toilets, baths and showers, washing machines and patio washers. Humans who have so utterly ruined the earth’s ability to store water. And that is before we even start on climate change.

so what animals did before humans was a) not suffer such harsh conditions
b) hop over to a water source now long, long gone

Show quote history

Calm down. You seem highly strung

insomniaclife · 20/07/2025 08:41

Jennps · 20/07/2025 08:34

Reservoirs are a mad made feature. What did wildlife do before humans decided to build reservoirs.

What a dick response.
it is humans who have concreted over, intensively farmed, invented flushing toilets, baths and showers, washing machines and patio washers. Humans who have so utterly ruined the earth’s ability to store water. And that is before we even start on climate change.

so what animals did before humans was a) not suffer such harsh conditions
b) hop over to a water source now long, long gone

LakieLady · 20/07/2025 08:38

Southern Water publish water levels at their 4 biggest reservoirs. I just looked at them, and 3 of the 4 are quite a bit below the average, one not far above the minimum.

That won't be good for the fish, and the birds that eat them.

Sassybooklover · 20/07/2025 08:37

The government haven't built new reservoirs since the very early 90's. With a growing population, more should have been built many years ago. We are going to see more hosepipe bans etc in the future, and the lack of reservoirs doesn't help.

Yorkshiremum80 · 20/07/2025 08:37

I live near a lake and it's shocking seeing how low the water level is currently.

ButtSurgery · 20/07/2025 08:36

I never understand how people aren't aware of drought conditions and the effect on drinking water availability....

Perhaps because I'm in Cornwall and it's part of daily life and the risk of water controls in summer has been a thing since before I was a kid in the 80s!

Jennps · 20/07/2025 08:34

Reservoirs are a mad made feature. What did wildlife do before humans decided to build reservoirs.

Lazygardener · 20/07/2025 08:30

Plenty of birds, bees and hedgehogs in my garden, and there were some frogs, but they have hopped off somewhere. I often feel sad about the general situation for wildlife, but frankly, there is little I can do about it. I just concentrate on making my little patch as wildlife friendly as possible. It sounds as though you do the same.

Ponoka7 · 20/07/2025 08:22

The water situation needs better management. With our ever growing population, we don't have room for wildlife anymore in lots of places, unfortunately.

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