Articles

• Water situation

  On 01 July 2025 our area, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire (LNA), entered Prolonged Dry Weather Status (PDW). The end of August and beginning of September saw wetter weather. This had a beneficial impact on rivers however groundwater levels largely remain below long term-term averages for this time of year. Based on current predictions, even a winter that sees average rainfall will not be enough to recharge these vital supplies.

  Dry weather and flooding

  During dry weather it is important to remain vigilant and prepared for flooding, particularly ‘surface water’ flooding. The extremely dry conditions we are experiencing increase that risk, withContinue reading

  On 01 July 2025 our area, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire (LNA), entered Prolonged Dry Weather Status (PDW). The end of August and beginning of September saw wetter weather. This had a beneficial impact on rivers however groundwater levels largely remain below long term-term averages for this time of year. Based on current predictions, even a winter that sees average rainfall will not be enough to recharge these vital supplies.

  Dry weather and flooding

  During dry weather it is important to remain vigilant and prepared for flooding, particularly ‘surface water’ flooding. The extremely dry conditions we are experiencing increase that risk, with hard, dry ground having the same effect as roads and paved surfaces in sudden rainfall events. In extreme conditions, it can also cause rivers to rise very quickly increasing the risk of ‘fluvial’ flooding.

  How you can help

  We can all do our part to use water wisely and manage this precious resource.

  • Visit Waterwise for useful water saving tips and resources.
  • For drought-related concerns, contact Anglian Water via their website or by phone. The specific "drought" contact is drought@anglianwater.co.uk. You can find information and report issues on their website, Anglian Water.
  • Report sightings of fish in distress or other impact on the environment by telephoning our 24hr incident hotline: 0800 807060 or via our new online reporting process which can be accessed here: Report an environmental problem - GOV.UK.

  Useful links

  More information is available on our website: Dry Weather Information 2025 | Engage Environment Agency.

  GOV.UK blogs - Drought impacts continue despite changeable weather – Creating a better place , Winter farm preparation: a guide for farmers after a dry season – Creating a better place

  Drought summary reports are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dry-weather-and-drought-in-england-summary-reports.

  Should you have any questions or need to contact us further, please do not hesitate to do so using the email address: LNcorrespondence@environment-agency.gov.uk.

• River Witham Flood Warning Service improvements

  Our Flood Resilience Team has made improvements to the Flood Warning Service for communities along the River Witham between Lincoln and Boston.

  From now on, flood warnings will be issued for either a breach or overtopping scenario. Traditionally Flood Warnings are issued when overtopping is expected to affect property. It will now be possible to let communities know about a breach as soon as we become aware.

  The existing five fluvial Flood Warning Areas for the River Witham have been divided into 21 smaller areas to make warnings more specific. Six additional Flood Warning Areas have also been created forContinue reading

  Our Flood Resilience Team has made improvements to the Flood Warning Service for communities along the River Witham between Lincoln and Boston.

  From now on, flood warnings will be issued for either a breach or overtopping scenario. Traditionally Flood Warnings are issued when overtopping is expected to affect property. It will now be possible to let communities know about a breach as soon as we become aware.

  The existing five fluvial Flood Warning Areas for the River Witham have been divided into 21 smaller areas to make warnings more specific. Six additional Flood Warning Areas have also been created for places that are not at risk from overtopping but could still be affected if a breach happened. These changes, going live this month, will make warnings timelier and reduce false alarms for those unlikely to be affected.

  To sign up for flood warnings, go to www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188. You can also check current flood warnings and river levels at www.gov.uk/check-flooding.

  The team is also trying out a new way to raise awareness about flood risks with Flood Ready Eddie, an interactive AI chatbot. Residents in the Lower Witham can 'chat' with Eddie by scanning a QR code or sending a text, to learn how to stay safe and prepared.

  If you’d like more details about the changes in your area or can help spread the word about Flood Ready Eddie through social media, newsletters, or postcards, please contact the Flood Resilience Team at frt.lincsandnorthants@environment-agency.gov.uk

  Lower Witham Flood Ready Eddie

• Strategy update

  Work is continuing on the strategic baseline report for the area. This report will summarise the evidence gathered about the catchment. It will be used to inform the future strategic plan for the area.

  Work on building the Lower Witham hydraulic model is currently paused, due to the need to incorporate more data across the whole Witham catchment following the winter storms of 2023/2024.

  When completed the modelling will allow us to better understand how a range of scenarios would affect water levels and flood defences, taking into account the latest evidence and projections for climate change.

  Work on theContinue reading

  Work is continuing on the strategic baseline report for the area. This report will summarise the evidence gathered about the catchment. It will be used to inform the future strategic plan for the area.

  Work on building the Lower Witham hydraulic model is currently paused, due to the need to incorporate more data across the whole Witham catchment following the winter storms of 2023/2024.

  When completed the modelling will allow us to better understand how a range of scenarios would affect water levels and flood defences, taking into account the latest evidence and projections for climate change.

  Work on the model is expected to restart in summer 2025 and deliver by spring 2026. Future scenarios to be tested using the model will include hypothetical breach locations and different management and maintenance approaches.

• Phase One: Grand Sluice

  Preparatory works for the Grand Sluice Refurbishment have now begun.

  Our contractors, Jackson Civil Engineering Ltd., are on site and have set up a compound behind the Boston Rowing Club. This will be used as their working area. A barge is also in position on the water to transport materials from the compound to Grand Sluice and is equipped with a crane that will be used during the works.

  This summer’s work will involve installing stop log grooves in each of the three channels, preparing Grand Sluice for the main refurbishment works, which are scheduled to begin in summer 2026.

  Continue reading

  Preparatory works for the Grand Sluice Refurbishment have now begun.

  Our contractors, Jackson Civil Engineering Ltd., are on site and have set up a compound behind the Boston Rowing Club. This will be used as their working area. A barge is also in position on the water to transport materials from the compound to Grand Sluice and is equipped with a crane that will be used during the works.

  This summer’s work will involve installing stop log grooves in each of the three channels, preparing Grand Sluice for the main refurbishment works, which are scheduled to begin in summer 2026.

  In May, the project team hosted drop in events within the community. These were held at both Fenside Community Centre and the Boston Market.

  Over 50 people attended to learn more about the preparatory works that will be taking place this summer. These events provided an opportunity for people to ask questions and express any concerns, leading to many productive discussions.

  Below, you can find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions from these events.

  Grand Sluice FAQ's

  Will these works include road closures?

  Although there are no planned road closures, there will be short durations when our contractors will need to operate traffic marshals during the delivery of materials. These will be scheduled to cause as little disruption as possible.

  Is aquatic weed flushing being considered?

  Yes. The project team are now finalising designs for tilting gate flaps, which are planned to be installed on the new vertical lift gates. These new gates will be installed as part of the main works due to start in 2026. The aim of the tilting flaps is to improve the efficiency of aquatic weed flushing without losing as much water from the system as weed flushing does now.

  We don't plan to open the sluice gates to flush weeds during our contractor's normal working hours (08:00 - 18:00) this summer. Instead, we'll coordinate with the Canal and Rivers Trust to do this in the evenings or during weekends when necessary.

  
  

  A barge equipped with a crane that will be used during the Grand Sluice refurbishment preparatory works.

  
  

  
  

• Phase One: Embankments

  The project team has worked hard to develop the Full Business Case for the Phase One Embankment works. This has now been submitted for approval. Once approved this will confirm the funding for the project and will allow the team to begin delivering works on the ground.

  The project team has worked hard to develop the Full Business Case for the Phase One Embankment works. This has now been submitted for approval. Once approved this will confirm the funding for the project and will allow the team to begin delivering works on the ground.

• Sustainable Recovery Pilot project

  Throughout May the project team have been continuing face-to-face farm and landowner meetings within the project area with contractors, Arup. These meetings have helped to deepen the team's understanding of past flooding impacts, people's aspirations for the area, and how some of the proposed measures could work within the landscape.

  After gaining first hand insights into the area, Arup have been assessing the short list of potential measures against specific criteria. Their analysis aims to help us understand which measures may be technically viable, determine how well these could work together to form a master plan for the area, andContinue reading

  Throughout May the project team have been continuing face-to-face farm and landowner meetings within the project area with contractors, Arup. These meetings have helped to deepen the team's understanding of past flooding impacts, people's aspirations for the area, and how some of the proposed measures could work within the landscape.

  After gaining first hand insights into the area, Arup have been assessing the short list of potential measures against specific criteria. Their analysis aims to help us understand which measures may be technically viable, determine how well these could work together to form a master plan for the area, and if they contribute towards achieving the project's goals.

  We have recently sent a draft of this report to our project partners to gain their feedback. Next, we will share this information with our Stakeholder Steering Group, which includes farmers and landowners for further discussion.

  Channel desilting work has taken place on the Lower Barlings Eau, between Short Ferry Bridge and the pumping station inlet. This is to allow water pumped from the River Trent and into the River Witham to move up the channel to the Short Ferry Pumping Station. From there it is pumped via a pipe into the River Ancholme to alleviate low water levels.

  The Sustainable Recovery Pilot project is a Fens 2100+ pilot project. Fens 2100+ is developing a Fens-wide approach to managing flood risk in a way that balances the needs of people, the environment and agriculture, both now and in the future.

  
  

  Channel desilting work on the Lower Barlings Eau.