GovWire

Guidance: River Thames: current river conditions

Environment Agency

February 15
10:25 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 15 February 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 Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Upstream of Blakes Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Caversham Lock to Sonning Lock No stream warning
Sonning Lock to Shiplake Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
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

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

Find out about call charges.

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

Related Articles

Comments

  1. We don't have any comments for this article yet. Why not join in and start a discussion.

Write a Comment

Your name:
Your email:
Comments:

Post my comment

Recent Comments

Follow Us on Twitter

Share This


Enjoyed this? Why not share it with others if you've found it useful by using one of the tools below: