Dorset’s rivers are running dry, which could lead to an environmental disaster.

Two very dry winters and springs have seen rivers such as the Piddle, Frome and Stour fall dramatically, with the South West receiving only 77 per cent of the expected average rainfall in the five months since October.

This is the lowest cumulative rainfall for the same period since 1991/2 and the 11th driest since records began in 1914.

One-third of the usual long-term rainfall fell in February and the same was true of March when the flow of the Stour was 35 per cent lower, the Piddle was down 39 per cent and the Frome was 41 per cent compared to last year.

“The rivers are well down and we’re concerned about the conditions,” said Mike Dunn-ing, regional spokesman for the Environment Agency, saying there were clear signs of an ‘environmental drought’ affecting wildlife.

Generous rainfall in June, July and August last year helped, but the area’s underground aquifers, including under the Dorset Downs, which feed the rivers, are not as full as normal.

Dorset Wildlife Trust is warning that flora and fauna are in peril.

Conservation officer Sarah Williams said: “Dorset Wild-life Trust is concerned about the effects of the prolonged dry spell on a wide range of wildlife that depends on rivers, ponds and wetland habitats.”

This ranges from the gravel beds where fish spawn to wading birds which feed on insects in wetlands and will find it hard to support chicks.

Temporary ponds, which are important for breeding amph-ibians are dry, water voles could suffer as may plants such as water crowfoot.

Wessex Water’s Luke de Vial, head of water resources, said they were concerned about the impact dry weather has had.

“By carefully managing our water resources by moving water from areas that have surplus water to those in deficit, we have been able to continue to supply water to our customers without introducing water restrictions,” he said.

“However, as well as doing our bit in tackling leakage and managing abstraction, we do need customers to use water efficiently.”

An average of 150 litres of water is used daily per person and residents are urged to cut down on their use.

Wessex Water’s Target Twenty campaign helps customers save at least 20 litres a day and there is more information on wessexwater.co.uk/saving-water

'No water for months'

Martin Cuff, 64, a market trader who lives at Winterborne Kingston said: “I’ve lived here for around 29 years and this is only about the second time that I haven’t seen the river run through.”

Mr Cuff said the Winterborne River, a tributary of the Stour, usually dried in the summer.

“I don’t think that we will see her run again until the autumn now,” he added.

Sylvia Wood, 64, a school assistant who lives at Leweston and grew up next to the river at Winterborne Anderson said: “I can’t remember the river ever being this dry. It usually flows in just before or just after Christmas, and then flows for most of the rest of the year, but there hasn’t been water here for around nine or ten months.”