WITH a lack of rain recently, people may be more concerned about water stocks than flooding.

But those living in areas at risk of flooding can now monitor river levels themselves and prepare for the worst – if and when it happens.

The Environment Agency has launched an online service which shows up-to-date river levels and statistics.

For example, at 5.15am yesterday, the latest figures available, the River Holme level at Queen’s Mill off Leeds Road was 0.25metres.

The typical river level range for the location is between 0.25m and 1.20m.

The highest river level recorded at the location was 2.50m and the river level reached 2.31m on January 21 2008.

The figures will be updated daily or more frequently during flooding incidents.

Craig Woolhouse, the Environment Agency’s head of flood incident management, said: “Our new service is there to help people, communities and businesses make informed decisions about how to respond to potential flooding.

More than five million people in England and Wales are at risk from flooding from rivers and the sea.

The agency say the service will also help recreational river users, including boaters and anglers, to check safety levels beforehand.

Website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/riverlevels