GovWire

Guidance: River Thames: current river conditions

Environment Agency

May 20
10:06 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 20 May 2023

You can also talk to lock staff to get the latest river conditions and strong stream warnings.

Lechlade to Oxford

Reach Current conditions
Upstream of St Johns Lock No stream warning
St Johns Lock to Buscot Lock No stream warning
Buscot Lock to Grafton Lock No stream warning
Grafton Lock to Radcot Lock No stream warning
Radcot Lock to Rushey Lock No stream warning
Rushey Lock to Shifford Lock No stream warning
Shifford Lock to Northmoor Lock No stream warning
Northmoor Lock to Pinkhill Lock No stream warning
Pinkhill Lock to Eynsham Lock No stream warning
Eynsham Lock to Kings Lock No stream warning
Kings Lock to Godstow Lock No stream warning
Godstow Lock to Osney Lock No stream warning
Osney Lock to Iffley Lock No stream warning

Oxford to Henley

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

Henley to Teddington

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

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 on lock gates, 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 on lock gates, 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 on lock gates, 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 conditions improve.

If you are not able to vacate your boat s

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