Environment Agency
Due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency, some of our services will be restricted until further notice.
You can find more information on what services are affected by our response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on our locks and facilities page.
Before boating on the River Thames, you should check the current river conditions.
River closures: updated 6 February 2023
| When | Where | Whats happening |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 11 February 2023 9:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 3:30pm | Molesey reach | Molesey Head Races 2023: the river between Sunbury Lock and Garricks Ait will be closed during the stated times. |
| Saturday 25 February 2023 10am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 4:30pm | Caversham reach | Reading University Head of the River Race 2023: the river between Purley on Thames Marina and Caversham Bridge, Reading will be closed during the stated times. |
| Saturday 11 March 2023 10:30am to 12:30am and 1:30pm to 3:30pm | Teddington reach | Kingston Head of the River Race 2023: the river between Trowlock Island and Hampton Court Bridge will be closed during the stated times. |
River restrictions: updated 2 February 2023
| When | Where | Whats happening |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 17 January 2023 until further notice | Cookham Bridge | Cookham Bridge Obstruction 2023: a large tree is blocking the second bridge arch on the left looking upstream. |
| Sunday 22 January, Sunday 5 February, and Sunday 30 April 2023 | Iffley reach | Isis Winter League 2023: in between races the navigation channel will be in the centre of the river. |
| Saturday 11 February 2023 9am to 4pm | Henley reach | Henley Fours and Eights Head Race 2023: the navigation channel will be in the centre of the river. |
| Saturday 18 February 2023 7:30am to 5pm | Chertsey reach | Burway Rowing Club Small Boats Head 2023: the navigation channel will be on the Middlesex, right hand side of the river. |
Planned lock closures: updated 3 February 2023
The Environment Agency carries out a programme of works on the River Thames every year between October and the end of March. This results in the closure of a number of locks sometimes for relatively long periods.
The first issue of the programme is published in August each year. This is so that river users can plan their winter cruising and boat movements well in advance.
This programme of work is subject to change, due to weather and other circumstances. Revised issues of the programme of works are published throughout the winter, so river users can keep up to date. To receive this information, sign up to the email update service.
Investment programme October 2022 to March 2023
| When | Where | Work being carried out | Canoe portage with care during closure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 January 2023 to 31 March 2023 | Bray Lock | Repair of the lock gate and additional safety fencing. | Yes |
| 16 January 2023 to 31 March 2023 | Caversham Lock | Replacement of existing timbers on head landings on both banks in the lock cut. | No |
| 20 February 2023 to 31 March 2023 | Marlow Lock | Replacement of lock chamber timbers. | No |
| 20 February 2023 to 31 March 2023 | Hambleden Lock | Repair of lock gate sluices. | Yes |
| 28 February 2023 to 31 March 2023 | Culham Lock | Replacement of hydraulic hoses, inspection and maintenance of chamber. | Yes |
| 13 March 2023 to 31 March 2023 | Goring Lock | Lock chamber walkway resurfacing and concreting on lock edge. Installation of safety fencing on the lock island. | Yes |
Email updates and newsletter
You can subscribe to newsletters about navigation on the River Thames and email updates on River Thames closures and restrictions.
To subscribe to or unsubscribe from this service, email riverthames@environment-agency.gov.uk with subscribe or unsubscribe in the subject line.
Please say whether you want to subscribe to or unsubscribe from:- closures and restrictions emails- newsletter emails- both
We will use your personal information in line with our privacy notice.
Last updated 6 February 2023 +show all updates
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Out of date notices removed.
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Under Planned Lock Closures: Rushey and Romney locks now open and removed from list. Changes to dates at Marlow, Hambleden, Culham and Goring locks and changes to work description at Bray and Culham locks.
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New restriction notice for Burway Rowing Club Small Boats Head (Sat 18 Feb 2023).
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New river closure notices for Reading Uni Head of the River Race (Sat 25 Feb 2023) and Kingston Head of the River Race (Sat 11 March 2023).
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New notice for Cookham Bridge Obstruction (Tues 17 Jan 2023 until further notice).
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Under Planned Lock Closures, work at Rushey Lock has been completed ahead of schedule and the lock is now open again.