GovWire

Guidance: River Thames: current river conditions

Environment Agency

May 19
09:45 2024

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 19 May 2024

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 No stream warnings
St Johns Lock to Buscot Lock No stream warnings
Buscot Lock to Grafton Lock No stream warnings
Grafton Lock to Radcot Lock No stream warnings
Radcot Lock to Rushey Lock No stream warnings
Rushey Lock to Shifford Lock No stream warnings
Shifford Lock to Northmoor Lock No stream warnings
Northmoor Lock to Pinkhill Lock No stream warnings
Pinkhill Lock to Eynsham Lock No stream warnings
Eynsham Lock to Kings Lock No stream warnings
Kings Lock to Godstow Lock No stream warnings
Godstow Lock to Osney Lock Yellow caution: stream increasing
Osney Lock to Iffley Lock No stream warnings

Oxford to Henley

Reach Current conditions
Iffley Lock to Sandford Lock No stream warnings
Sandford Lock to Abingdon Lock No stream warnings
Abingdon Lock to Culham Lock No stream warnings
Culham Lock to Clifton Lock No stream warnings
Clifton Lock to Days Lock No stream warnings
Days Lock to Benson Lock No stream warnings
Benson Lock to Cleeve Lock No stream warnings
Cleeve Lock to Goring Lock No stream warnings
Goring Lock to Whitchurch Lock No stream warnings
Whitchurch Lock to Mapledurham Lock No stream warnings
Mapledurham Lock to Caversham Lock No stream warnings
Upstream of Blakes Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Caversham Lock to Sonning Lock No stream warnings
Sonning Lock to Shiplake Lock No stream warnings
Shiplake Lock to Marsh Lock No stream warnings
Marsh Lock to Hambleden Lock No stream warnings

Henley to Teddington

Reach Current conditions
Hambleden Lock to Hurley Lock No stream warnings
Hurley Lock to Temple Lock No stream warnings
Temple Lock to Marlow Lock No stream warnings
Marlow Lock to Cookham Lock No stream warnings
Cookham Lock to Boulters Lock No stream warnings
Boulters Lock to Bray Lock No stream warnings
Bray Lock to Boveney Lock No stream warnings
Boveney Lock to Romney Lock No stream warnings
Romney Lock to Old Windsor Lock No stream warnings
Old Windsor Lock to Bell Weir Lock No stream warnings
Bell Weir Lock to Penton Hook Lock No stream warnings
Penton Hook Lock to Chertsey Lock No stream warnings
Chertsey Lock to Shepperton Lock No stream warnings
Shepperton Lock to Sunbury Lock No stream warnings
Sunbury Lock to Molesey Lock No stream warnings
Molesey Lock to Teddington Lock No stream warnings

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 possible, put extra fendering (such as scaffold poles or strong timber posts) between your boat and the bank side. This may prevent your boat drifting onto the river bank and becoming caught up when levels drop.

Make sure you have a safe exit ashore from your boat. If not, consider returning home or finding alternative accommodation until

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