further flood update *

local river levels measured in the Thames at Iffley Lock and the Hinksey Stream at the Old Abingdon Road are slowly dropping. The levels in the Rivers Cherwell and Evenlode are also stable or dropping. There is a pulse of water coming down the main Thames from the Cotswolds, presumably due to the rainfall from a couple of days ago. It seems unlikely this will have a significant impact on river levels locally but SOFLAG will keep an eye on it over the next couple of days. Hinksey Lake has risen about 4cm over the past day – it is fed by groundwater which is rising as a delayed response to the overall increase in river levels over the past week or so. Groundwater rise may cause issues with toilets flushing for some - it has in parts of Cold Harbour. These groundwater levels should be past the peak soon