Glascarnoch river runs dry as water scarcity grips parts of Scotland

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has warned that most of mainland Scotland’s east coast has moved to ‘Moderate Scarcity’ conditions – one step below a ‘critical’ shortage. 

River catchments across the Deveron, Ythan, Don (Aberdeenshire), Dee (Aberdeen), Esk, Firth of Tay, Firth of Forth, Almond, Tyne (Lothian), Tweed and Esk (Dumfriesshire) were marked as ‘’Moderate last week, with the rest of Scotland is now at ‘Alert,’ with only the Inner and Outer Hebrides remaining at the lowest category - ‘Early Warning’.  

This follows on from a drier than normal autumn and winter with some areas of the east now having 11 months of below average rainfall.  

All businesses with licences to take water from the environment have been warned to act responsibly.   

The Glascarnoch River as it usually flows (Image: NQ) Groundwater levels in Fife and Angus were at their lowest April averages on record, with Newton of Falkland recording the lowest level for April in 28 years.  

In the River Dee in Aberdeenshire records going back 97 years show flows are at their second lowest this early in the year, only 1938 was drier.  

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Some parts of Fife have now gone nearly four weeks without measurable rainfall. Across the east, river flows are well below normal for this time of year and without significant rain conditions are unlikely to recover soon. 

Much of Scotland has seen four weeks without rain (Image: NQ) However, the Met Office has forecast the record dry spell is likely to come to an end soon, with high pressure which has dominated Scotland’s weather coming to an end.  

Deputy Chief meteorologist David Oliver said: “We’ll see a change in conditions this weekend as weather systems move in from the Atlantic. These will bring rain and windier conditions from the west later Friday, which will spread across the whole of the UK on Saturday.  

“Some heavy rain is expected, especially in the northwest later on Saturday when winds will also strengthen, bringing a risk of coastal gales in the north.  

“These strong winds will continue on Sunday as an area of low pressure passes the northwest of the UK. Blustery showers are expected on Sunday, which will be heaviest and most frequent in the northwest. Conversely, the south and southeast may well see a good deal of dry weather.”  

He added: “Wind will be a watchpoint for Sunday, especially across Scotland where there is some uncertainty on the exact track of the low and its associated wind speeds, so keep up-to-date with the forecast as it evolves over the coming days.”