Environment Agency
The River Wye is 251 kilometres long. It drains a catchment containing a rich and varied landscape spanning the Welsh and English borders. It rises in the uplands of mid Wales, flowing past the towns of Rhayader, Builth Wells, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth, entering the Severn Estuary at Chepstow.
The Environment Agency is the navigation authority for the River Wye, from Hay to Bigsweir Bridge. Navigation on the tidal Wye, below Bigsweir, is the responsibility of Gloucester Harbour Trustees.
The Wye Navigation Advisory Committee meets in spring and autumn, helping to maintain sustainable recreation and navigation on the River Wye.
For details of the committee and a copy of approved minutes, please email wye-navigation@environment-agency.gov.uk.
River access for boaters
Boaters have confirmed legal access on the River Wye between Hay-on-Wye and Chepstow (where the River Wye enters the Severn Estuary). Upstream of Hay-on-Wye there are a number of negotiated access points.
Access upstream of Hay Bridge
- there is no confirmed legal right of navigation upstream of Hay Bridge
- access to navigate the upper Wye is disputed
- there are two arrangements to help facilitate shared access and river use between anglers and paddlers; please refer to the Wye & Usk Foundation website and the Canoe Wye website for further details
- much of the upper Wye isnt recommended for beginners, or boaters who dont have considerable experience of white water; please read the available guides before paddling
- it is recommended that you check and if necessary obtain permission from the owner(s) of the riverbed along your route before you access the river
Access downstream of Hay Bridge
- the public right of navigation doesnt give an absolute right of access to the river bank downstream of Hay Bridge, except in an emergency or to prevent one
- other than at accepted public sites or where there is public access to the river bank, you should get permission from the owner of the riverbank/surrounding land before you launch or land your boat
- any use of the banks must be not only incidental to your navigation, but also reasonable and considerate to the needs of landowners and other users
- permission is needed to camp or picnic on the banks or neighbouring fields
River Wye event calendar 2022
There may be river restrictions around each event.
If you are participating in an event make sure youre aware of the Wye Code of Conduct, a guide to using the river without reducing the enjoyment of others or damaging the environment.
Date | Event | Organiser |
---|---|---|
Sunday 9 January | Winter League Belmont, Tennis courts | Hereford and District Angling Association |
Sunday 13 February | River Wye Feeder Championships all club waters | Hereford and District Angling Association |
Wednesday 23 February | Spring 2 day Festival Belmont, Tennis Courts | Hereford and District Angling Association |
Thursday 24 February | Spring 2 day Festival Belmont, Tennis Courts | Hereford and District Angling Association |
Sunday 27 February | Wye Team Championships all club waters | Hereford and District Angling Association |
Saturday 12 March | Division 2/3 Slalom - Symonds Yat Rapids | Wyedean Canoe Club |
Sunday 13 March | Division 2/3 Slalom - Symonds Yat Rapids | Wyedean Canoe Club |
Saturday 7 May | Division 3/4 Slalom Symonds Yat Rapids | Wyedean Canoe Club |
Sunday 8 May | Division 3/4 Slalom Symonds Yat Rapids | Wyedean Canoe Club |
Sunday 15 May | Walk the Wye - Monmouth Show Ground | Rotary Club of Monmouth |
Friday 27 May | Live on the Wye at Redbrook | Live on the Wye |
Saturday 28 May | Live on the Wye at Redbrook | Live on the Wye |
Saturday 28 May | Monmouth Regatta and Sprint- Monmouth Rowing Club | Monmouth Rowing Club |
Sunday 29 May | Monmouth Regatta and Sprint Monmouth Rowing Club | Monmouth Rowing Club |
Sunday 19 June | Raft race Ross to Lydbrook | c/o CHAR |
Sunday 19 June | Hasler Race Hereford | Hereford Kayak Club |
Sunday 3 July | Wye River SwimRun Tintern and Livox Quarry area | SARA |
Sunday 11 July | MadDash Raft Race - Hereford | MadSat Raft Team |
Friday 22 July | Duke of Edinburgh Gold Level - Hay on Wye to Redbrook | Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre |
Saturday 23 July | Duke of Edinburgh Gold Level - Hay on Wye to Redbrook | Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre |
Sunday 24 July | Duke of Edinburgh Gold Level - Hay on Wye to Redbrook | Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre |
Sunday 24 July | MadDash Raft Race - Hereford | MadSat Raft Team |
Monday 25 July | Duke of Edinburgh Gold Level - Hay on Wye to Redbrook | Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre |
Tuesday 26 July | Duke of Edinburgh Gold Level - Hay on Wye to Redbrook | Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre |
Saturday 13 August | Wye Float River and Music Festival Hereford rowing club to Greenway Cycle Bridge | Wye Float Committee |
Friday 26 August | Hereford River Carnival - Hereford | Hereford River Carnival |
Saturday 27 August | Hereford River Carnival - Hereford | Hereford River Carnival |
Saturday 27 August | Ross-on-Wye Rowing Club Regatta | Ross Rowing Club |
Sunday 28 August | Ross-on-Wye Rowing Club Regatta | Ross Rowing Club |
Monday 29 August | Ross-on-Wye Rowing Club Regatta | Ross Rowing Club |
Sunday 4 September | 56th Annual Raft Race - Monmouth Rowing Club to Whitebrook | Rotary Club of Monmouth |
Sunday 4 September | Maddash 2 Hereford to Hoarwithy | MadSat Raft Team |
Sunday 18 September | Wild Wye Swim Kerne to Huntsham Bridge | Severn Area Rescue Association |
Sunday 25 September | Monmouth Autumn Head - Monmouth Rowing Club | Monmouth Rowing Club |
Sunday 25 September | Joe Burrows Charity Match all club waters | Hereford and District Angling Association |
Sunday 9 October | Winter League Belmont, Tennis Courts | Hereford and District Angling Association |
Saturday 15 October | Symonds Yat Slalom Symonds Yat rapids | Cheltenham Canoe Club |
Sunday 16 October | Symonds Yat Slalom Symonds Yat rapids | Cheltenham Canoe Club |
Sunday 23 October | Winter League Belmont, Tennis Courts | Hereford and District Angling Association |
Saturday 5 November | Bonfire and Fireworks night - Monmouth Rowing Club | Rotary Club of Monmouth |
Sunday 6 November | Winter League Belmont, Tennis Courts | Hereford and District Angling Association |
Wednesday 9 November | Hereford 3 Day Festival Belmont, Tennis Courts | Hereford and District Angling Association |
Thursday 10 November | Hereford 3 Day Festival Belmont, Tennis Courts | Hereford and District Anglin
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