Environment Agency
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 March 2023 - 2nd update
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 | Yellow Caution stream increasing |
Rushey Lock to Shifford Lock | Yellow Caution stream increasing |
Shifford Lock to Northmoor Lock | Yellow Caution stream increasing |
Northmoor Lock to Pinkhill Lock | Yellow Caution stream increasing |
Pinkhill Lock to Eynsham Lock | Yellow Caution stream increasing |
Eynsham Lock to Kings Lock | Yellow Caution stream increasing |
Kings Lock to Godstow Lock | Yellow Caution stream increasing |
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 | Yellow Caution stream increasing |
Upstream of Blakes Lock | No stream warning |
Caversham Lock to Sonning Lock | Yellow Caution stream increasing |
Sonning Lock to Shiplake Lock | Yellow Caution stream increasing |
Shiplake Lock to Marsh Lock | Yellow Caution stream increasing |
Marsh Lock to Hambleden Lock | Yellow Caution stream increasing |
Henley to Teddington
Reach | Current conditions |
---|---|
Hambleden Lock to Hurley Lock | Yellow Caution stream increasing |
Hurley Lock to Temple Lock | Yellow Caution stream increasing |
Temple Lock to Marlow Lock | Yellow Caution stream increasing |
Marlow Lock to Cookham Lock | Yellow Caution stream increasing |
Cookham Lock to Boulters Lock | Yellow Caution stream increasing |
Boulters Lock to Bray Lock | Yellow Caution stream increasing |
Bray Lock to Boveney Lock | Yellow Caution stream increasing |
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 | Yellow Caution stream increasing |
Sunbury Lock to Molesey Lock | Yellow Caution stream increasing |
Molesey Lock to Teddington Lock | Yellow Caution stream increasing |
Call to hear current river conditions
Alternatively, to get the latest river information before you go boating:
- call the Environment Agency Floodline on 0345 988 1188
- select option 1 for river information for boaters
- when prompted, enter one of the quick dial numbers for the area of the river you want to hear about
Floodline quick dial codes
Quick dial codes | Area | Description |
---|---|---|
415000 | Upstream of St Johns Lock to Radcot Lock | St Johns to Radcot locks, including Buscot and Grafton locks |
415001 | Rushey to Godstow Lock | Rushey to Godstow locks, including Shifford, Northmoor, Pinkhill, Eynsham and Kings locks |
415002 | Osney to Iffley Lock | Osney to Iffley locks only |
415003 | Sandford to Clifton Lock | Sandford to Clifton locks, including Abingdon and Culham locks |
415004 | Days to Mapledurham Lock | Days to Mapledurham locks, including Benson, Cleeve, Goring and Whitchurch locks |
415005 | Caversham to Shiplake Lock | Caversham to Shiplake locks, including Sonning Lock |
415006 | Marsh to Boveney Lock | Marsh to Boveney locks, including Hambleden, Hurley, Temple, Marlow, Cookham, Boulters and Bray locks |
415007 | Romney to Bell Weir Lock | Romney to Bell Weir locks, including Old Windsor Lock |
415008 | Penton Hook to Chertsey Lock | Penton Hook to Chertsey locks only |
415009 | Shepperton to Teddington Lock | Shepperton to Teddington locks, including Sunbury and Molesey locks |
415010 | River Kennet upstream of Blakes Lock | River Kennet for upstream of Blakes Lock and down to the confluence with the River Thames |
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
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.