AbstractOperation of a previously existing sampling network during the 1976 drought has provided an opportunity to assess the effects of the drought and subsequent autumn rainfall on the water quality characteristics of a small catchment (9·3 km3) in East Devon. The availability of records for past years has enabled these data to be compared with longer‐term response characteristics.Analysis indicates that the 1976 drought produced a unique solute response, with levels rising markedly during the autumn flush which resulted from the heavy rainfall following the drought period. Concentrations of several ions increased 3–4 times and NO3‐N levels exhibited even greater increases of up to 50‐fold. Some of the factors responsible for these increases and some implications are considered.