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Rivers could dry up, claims EA
06 Oct 2008
They estimate that by 2050 summer flows in the rivers Severn and Mersey are likely to be reduced by 80% and that of the River Thames is likely to be down to 50%.
The EA says the recent summer floods are an effect of climate change and that there will still be wet summers, but these and wetter winters will not make up for the overall lack of rain during hotter summers.
The research used projections from the UK Climate Impacts Programme that says that river flows in winter may rise by 15 to 20% by 2050, but flows in late summer and early autumn could fall by as much as 80%, which could result in a total annual drop of up to 15%. Low flows will affect all river users, increase pollution, endanger wildlife and of course threaten boating.
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