The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Critically low water levels linked to climate change
Environment: North and north-east affected by lower than average rainfall
The effects of climate change and a dry spring have left water levels in the north and north-east “critically low”.
Sepa has outlined increasing shortages across the region, with one part of the north-east reaching its lowest ever level.
The agency’s chief executive Terry A’Hearn said his team will work with businesses across the country to address the problem.
He said: “The severity of the water scarcity picture in parts of the north of Scotland is further evidence
“Water scarcity will become more prevalent across Scotland”
that water scarcity will become more and more prevalent across Scotland – and is just one of the many consequences of climate change the country faces.
“We want to work with businesses to plan longterm about their water usage so that we can preserve the resource as effectively as possible.”
Sepa’s weekly update shows Sutherland, Moray and huge parts of Aberdeenshire listed as having moderate scarcity.
Deerdykes, a monitoring site around 15 miles north of Aberdeen, is the location that has recorded its lowest ever level.
The rest of the north and north-east is listed as being at alert or early warning level, while most of the rest of Scotland has normal conditions.
Figures from Sepa show most of the north and north-east has had lower than average rainfall during the past six months.
A water scarcity situation builds up over a long period of time and the missing rainfall would have topped up reservoirs, raised groundwater levels and provided moisture in the soils.
Temperatures are to climb above 30C in England over the weekend but Scotland will be hit by torrential downpours that could bring almost a month’s-worth of rain in just one day.
The Met Office has issued a warning for heavy rain for the west Highlands, which should provide some relief.
The dry spell earlier in the year allowed SSE to carry out inspection and maintenance work at Loch Glascarnoch, which sits at the side of the A832 near Garve.
Pictures show the recent low water level exposed some structures normally hidden underwater.
The old road that used to link Inverness and Ullapool and two stone bridges were visible.
A spokesman for SSE said: “It is not unusual for reduced water levels in the loch, which occur as normal during periods of low rain or when maintenance and inspection works are being carried out within the Conon hydro scheme, to reveal the old Dingwall to Ullapool road.
“Outbreaks of rain in recent weeks has resulted in water levels in the loch beginning to rise, resulting in the old road becoming submerged once again.”
After a less-than-scorching summer, it may come as a surprise that water levels in parts of the north and north-east are now deemed to be critically low.
It appears we’re paying the price for an arid spring, and the situation is further evidence of how climate change is starting to impact our day-to-day lives.
No one is pushing the panic button, but authorities plan to work with businesses to find ways to preserve what is becoming an ever-more precious natural resource.
With rain forecast for much of the country over the weekend, we should probably be crossing our fingers that, on this occasion, the weather watchers have got it right.