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Guidance: River Thames: current river conditions

Environment Agency

December 9
10:37 2023

Before you take your boat out on the River Thames, you should find out the current river conditions and make sure you understand what they mean. You should also check if there are any closures or restrictions in your area.

Current river conditions: updated 9 December 2023

We update our information about the river conditions and strong stream warnings once a day by 11am. You should also check the warning boards displayed at lock sites or talk to lock staff if you are using your boat on the river.

Lechlade to Oxford

Reach Current conditions
Upstream of St Johns Lock Red caution: strong stream
St Johns Lock to Buscot Lock Red caution: strong stream
Buscot Lock to Grafton Lock Red caution: strong stream
Grafton Lock to Radcot Lock Red caution: strong stream
Radcot Lock to Rushey Lock Red caution: strong stream
Rushey Lock to Shifford Lock Red caution: strong stream
Shifford Lock to Northmoor Lock Red caution: strong stream
Northmoor Lock to Pinkhill Lock Red caution: strong stream
Pinkhill Lock to Eynsham Lock Red caution: strong stream
Eynsham Lock to Kings Lock Red caution: strong stream
Kings Lock to Godstow Lock Red caution: strong stream
Godstow Lock to Osney Lock Red caution: strong stream
Osney Lock to Iffley Lock Red caution: strong stream

Oxford to Henley

Reach Current conditions
Iffley Lock to Sandford Lock Red caution: strong stream
Sandford Lock to Abingdon Lock Red caution: strong stream
Abingdon Lock to Culham Lock Red caution: strong stream
Culham Lock to Clifton Lock Red caution: strong stream
Clifton Lock to Days Lock Red caution: strong stream
Days Lock to Benson Lock Red caution: strong stream
Benson Lock to Cleeve Lock Red caution: strong stream
Cleeve Lock to Goring Lock Red caution: strong stream
Goring Lock to Whitchurch Lock Red caution: strong stream
Whitchurch Lock to Mapledurham Lock Red caution: strong stream
Mapledurham Lock to Caversham Lock Red caution: strong stream
Upstream of Blakes Lock Red caution: strong stream
Caversham Lock to Sonning Lock Red caution: strong stream
Sonning Lock to Shiplake Lock Red caution: strong stream
Shiplake Lock to Marsh Lock Red caution: strong stream
Marsh Lock to Hambleden Lock Red caution: strong stream

Henley to Teddington

Reach Current conditions
Hambleden Lock to Hurley Lock Red caution: strong stream
Hurley Lock to Temple Lock Red caution: strong stream
Temple Lock to Marlow Lock Red caution: strong stream
Marlow Lock to Cookham Lock Red caution: strong stream
Cookham Lock to Boulters Lock Red caution: strong stream
Boulters Lock to Bray Lock Red caution: strong stream
Bray Lock to Boveney Lock Red caution: strong stream
Boveney Lock to Romney Lock Red caution: strong stream
Romney Lock to Old Windsor Lock Red caution: strong stream
Old Windsor Lock to Bell Weir Lock Red caution: strong stream
Bell Weir Lock to Penton Hook Lock Red caution: strong stream
Penton Hook Lock to Chertsey Lock Red caution: strong stream
Chertsey Lock to Shepperton Lock Red caution: strong stream
Shepperton Lock to Sunbury Lock Red caution: strong stream
Sunbury Lock to Molesey Lock Red caution: strong stream
Molesey Lock to Teddington Lock Red caution: strong stream

What the warnings mean

Any river activity poses a greater risk when there are strong currents, high river levels or cold weather conditions. River flows can increase even during the summer months. Never assume that sunny weather means the conditions are not hazardous.

The Environment Agency may display warning boards at locks to inform river users of the conditions. Read the explanations of what these mean for you. Do not take risks and never underestimate the power of the river.

Strong stream warning

A red sign with white text reading 'Caution: Strong stream'.

Strong stream warning board

When these red boards are displayed, the Environment Agency advises users of all boats not to navigate. The strong flows make it difficult and dangerous.

People in hire boats arriving at a lock where these boards are displayed should stop immediately. Contact your hire boat operator to ask for instructions.

Stream increasing warning

A yellow sign with black text reading 'Caution: Stream increasing'.

Stream increasing warning board

When these yellow boards are displayed, the Environment Agency advises:

  • users of all unpowered boats not to navigate
  • users of powered boats to find a safe mooring

River flows are likely to strengthen, and strong stream boards could be displayed very soon and without further warning.

Stream decreasing warning

A yellow sign with black text reading 'Caution: Stream decreasing'.

Stream decreasing warning board

When these yellow boards are displayed, the Environment Agency advises:

  • users of all unpowered boats not to navigate
  • users of powered boats to navigate with caution

Using navigation marks

When travelling upstream, keep red navigation buoys to your left and green navigation buoys to your right.

When travelling downstream, keep red buoys to your right and green buoys to your left.

You may pass single yellow marker buoys on either side.

In all cases, keep well clear of navigation buoys. Be aware of possible shoals on the inside of river bends.

Dealing with changing river conditions

If you find yourself in conditions where the Environment Agency advises you to stop navigating, please take the advice and stop. Even the most experienced boater can be caught out, so think about those who could be put in danger if they have to help you.

You may find the following measures helpful. Not all conditions will be serious enough to need all the suggested measures.

Moor your boat in a safe place, preferably in a marina or at a recognised mooring. Limited space may be available at some locks. Moor against high banks if you can.

Ensure your mooring lines are fastened to secure fixings such as bollards, rings or even trees. Put out extra lines for more security and allow enough slack for a further rise in river levels. Do not rely on your own mooring pins or stakes, as they might not hold.

If possi

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