Environment Agency
February 4
12:04
2025
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Before boating on the River Thames, you should check the current river conditions.
Navigation issues: updated 3 February 2025
| When | Where | Whats happening |
|---|---|---|
| 3 February 2025 until further notice | Osney reach | East Street moorings, Oxford, are closed for public safety purposes, both waterside and landside. No alternative moorings are available. |
| 4 January 2025 until further notice | Osney reach | Sunken narrowboat causing obstruction 50 metres upstream of Sheepwash junction route to Isis Lock on Oxford Canal. Boaters should navigate with extreme caution. |
| 9 December 2024 until further notice | Caversham reach | Fallen tree in navigation just downstream of Reading Bridge on north bank. |
| 22 June 2024 until further notice | Benson Lock | Shoal reported downstream of lock. When navigating upstream the shoal is on the right hand side of the navigation channel. Boaters should navigate with caution when entering or exiting the tail gates. |
| 23 April 2024 until further notice | Caversham reach | Submerged boat tied to left hand bank looking upstream, just upstream of St Marys Island. Boaters should navigate with caution. |
| 20 April 2024 Until further notice | Whitchurch head lock cut | Obstruction to navigation above head gates. Boaters should navigate with caution when entering or exiting the upstream lock cut. |
| 1 October 2023 until further notice | Teddington Launch Lock | Lock is closed for repairs to lock walls, gate ram trench and areas of the lock side. |
| Until further notice | Clifton weir stream | Shoal reported downstream of The Plough public house. Boaters are advised not to navigate up Clifton weir stream. |
| Until further notice | Canal Bridge, Radcot | A vehicle has damaged Canal Bridge, where Radcot Road A4095 crosses the River Thames. Please be cautious of falling debris if navigating near the bridge. |
| Until further notice | Boulters Lock | Gates on the pedestal side do not open fully. Width of the tail gates is restricted to no more than 5.5 metres (18). Please use caution when entering and exiting the lock. |
| Until further notice | Botley Road Bridge, Oxford | Obstruction to navigation 50 metres upstream of Botley Bridge. Boaters should navigate with extreme caution. |
River closures: updated 4 February 2025
| When | Where | Whats happening |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 27 January to Friday 14 February 2025 | Sandford Lock | Sandford Lock works 2025: works are being undertaken to replace and repair sluices and hydraulics on the gates at Sandford Lock. |
| Saturday 15 February 2025 9:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 3:30pm | Molesey reach | Molesey Head Races 2025: the river will be closed between Garricks Ait and Sunbury Lock during the stated times. |
| Saturday 1 March 2025 10am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 4:30pm | Caversham reach | Reading University Head of the River Race 2025: boats cannot navigate anywhere on the River Thames between Purley on Thames Marina and Caversham Bridge, Reading during the stated times. |
| Saturday 15 March 2025 10:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 3:30pm | Teddington reach | Kingston Head of the River Race 2025: the river between Trowlock Island and Hampton Court Bridge will be closed to all traffic, other than authorised boats, during the stated times. |
River restrictions: updated 28 January 2025
| When | Where | Whats happening |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 22 October 2024 to Friday 28 February 2025 | Teddington reach | Teddington Lock Footbridge repairs 2024: whilst this work is carried out the width of the channel may be reduced by up to one third. |
| Thursday 21 November 2024 until further notice | Temple reach | Temple Bridge safety works 2024: the central arch of Temple Bridge will be closed for navigation. Boaters can navigate via the two side arches. |
| Sunday 26 January, Sunday 16 February, Sunday 2 March 2025 | Hambleden reach | Henley Winter Series 2024: there will be no racing channel. Competitors will navigate the river correctly and safely whilst being aware of other river users. |
| Sunday 26 January, Sunday 9 February, and Sunday 4 May 2025 | Iffley reach | Isis Winter League 2024: in between races, a clear navigation channel will be in place along the centre of the river. |
| Monday 27 January to Monday 24 February 2025 | Whitchurch Lock | Whitchurch Lock works 2025: there will be restrictions when entering and exiting the lock. |
| Saturday 1 February 2025 | Hambleden reach | Henley Fours and Eights 2025: the navigation channel will be in the central third of the river. |
| Sunday 2 March 2025 11am to 3pm | Sonning and Caversham reaches | Thameside Race 1 2025: there will be approximately 200 canoeists taking part in the race. When in the vicinity of canoes, please slow down and check your wash. |
| Sunday 16 March 2025 9am to 3pm | Reading to Marlow | Thameside Race 2 2025: there will be approximately 300 canoeists taking part in the race. When in the vicinity of canoes, please slow down and check your wash. |
Planned lock closures: updated 23 January 2025
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 10 weeks in advance of the first planned lock closure. 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 November 2024 to March 2025.
| When | Where | Work being carried out | Canoe portage available during closure* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 January 2025 to 3 February 2025 | Sonning Lock | Replacement of anchor blocks and collar straps. | Yes |
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