Updated: New notices added and issue 9 of planned lock closure programme.
River conditions
Find out the latest river conditions and strong stream warnings by:
visiting our River Thames Conditions website
calling our Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or 0845 988 1188 (24-hour service) to hear recorded information and advice (find out about call charges)
talking to lock staff
River closures: updated 9 February 2017
When
Where
What’s happening
Saturday 18 February 2017 from 1:30pm to 4:00pm
Molesey Reach
Molesey Veteran’s Head: The river between Sunbury Lock and Benn’s Island (just downstream of Platt’s Eyot, Hampton) will be closed to all traffic other than authorised vessels during this time.
Saturday 4 March 2017, from 10am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 4:30pm
Mapledurham Lock to Caversham Bridge
Reading University head of the river race: during these times, boats are not able to navigate anywhere on the River Thames between Mapledurham Lock and Caversham Bridge, Reading.
Saturday 18 March 2017 from 10:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Hampton Court Bridge to a point 250 metres downstream of Steven’s Eyot
Kingston head of the river race: during these times, boats will not be able to navigate anywhere on the River Thames downstream of Molesey Lock between Hampton Court Bridge and a point 250 metres downstream of Steven’s Eyot, Kingston.
River restrictions: updated 18 February 2017
When
Where
What’s happening
Tuesday 24 January 2017 for approximately 2 to 4 weeks
Ham Island bridge, Old Windsor Lock Cut
Thames Water restoration works: Following delays to the restoration works that were drafted into the winter works programme Thames Water will continue to work past the published date.
Saturday 18 February 2017 from 9am to 4pm
Henley Reach
Henley fours and eights head race: the navigation channel will be along the centre of the river. All non-racing boat traffic must pass on Buckinghamshire/Fawley Court, right side of Temple Island.
Sunday 19 February 2017 from 1pm to 5pm
Iffley Reach
Isis winter league: a clear navigation channel will be in place along the centre of the river.
Friday 24 February 2017 from 1pm to 5:30pm
Iffley Reach
Rowing On and Torpids: while racing is in progress, boaters may be requested to moor and wait for a period of no longer than 15 minutes until the current race has finished.
Saturday 25 February 2017 from 9am to 4pm
Chertsey Reach
Burway Rowing Club head of the river: the navigation channel will be on the right hand side of the river.
Wednesday 1 to Saturday 4 March 2017 from 12 noon to 5:30pm
Iffley Reach
Rowing On and Torpids: while racing is in progress, boaters may be requested to moor and wait for a period of no longer than 15 minutes until the current race has finished.
Sunday 2 April 2017 from 8am to 1pm
Phyllis Court Club to Upper Thames Rowing Club
Phyllis Court Club spring time trial: the navigation channel will be in the centre of the river.
Saturday 2 September 2017 from 10am to 4pm
Phyllis Court, Henley
Regatta for the disabled Henley: the navigation channel will be on the left, Remenham side of the river.
Sunday 15 October 2017 from 8am to 1pm
Phyllis Court Club to Upper Thames Rowing Club
Phyllis Court Club autumn time triall: the navigation channel will be in the centre of the river.
Planned lock closures: updated 17 February 2017
Listed below are the locks that will be closed during the 2016 to 2017 investment programme. The locks will be closed from the first date listed and re-opened on the day after the final date.
River Thames investment programme Issue 9 notice: 2016 to 2017
PDF, 142KB, 2 pages
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version of this document in a more accessible format, please email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.
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River Thames investment programme Issue 9 map: 2016 to 2017
PDF, 366KB, 1 page
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
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When
Where
What’s happening
20 March 2017 to 24 March 2017
Shifford Lock
Re-sheeting lock gates, repairing balance beam and re-fixing rubbing timber. Repairing handrails.
1 November 2016 to 3 March 2017
King’s Lock
Re-sheeting lock gates, repairing balance beam and removing silt from travel lines of the lock gates. Head mooring embankment works and additional revenue moorings. Please note there may be opportunities for passage during this period (in 2017) and you will be notified in advance of this if so.
13 February 2017 to 24 February 2017
Clifton Lock
Emergency repairs to hydraulic system. Please note work on repairing lock gates postponed until the 2017 to 2018 winter programme, which will then include re-sheeting of the lock gates.
21 March 2017 to 23 March 2017
Bell Weir Lock
Installation of power and data cables across the upstream lock cut. This work, by Southeast Power Engineering, is to facilitate the Archimedes screw hydropower system.
Keep up to date
Get the latest river information before you go boating. Call the Environment Agency Floodline on 0345 988 1188 and when prompted select option 1 followed by:
river conditions and strong stream warnings: 011131
work on the river and lock closures: 011132
events on the river which affect boating: 011133
Find out about call charges.
Email
The Environment Agency sends email updates on River Thames closures and restrictions. To subscribe to this service, email riverthames@environment-agency.gov.uk with ‘subscribe to harbourmaster’s notices’ in the subject line.
Know your river conditions
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 sunny weather means the conditions are not hazardous.
Warning boards may be displayed at locks to inform river users of the conditions. Read the explanations of what these mean for you. Don’t take risks and never underestimate the power of the river.
When these red boards are displayed on lock gates, we advise users of all boats not to navigate because the strong flows make it difficult and dangerous.
People in hire boats arriving at a lock where these boards are displayed should stop immediately and contact their hire boat operator to ask for instructions.
When these yellow boards are displayed on lock gates, we advise users of all unpowered boats not to navigate and users of powered boats to find a safe mooring. This is because river flows are likely to strengthen, and red boards could be displayed very soon and without further warning.
When these yellow boards are displayed on lock gates, we advise users of all unpowered boats not to navigate and users of powered boats to navigate with caution.
Dealing with changing river conditions
Read this section carefully to find out what to do if you find yourself in conditions where we advise you to stop navigating. Remember, not all conditions will be serious enough to require all the measures suggested below.
Please take the advice to 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.
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 additional security and allow enough slack for a further rise in river levels; don’t rely on your own mooring pins or stakes, they might not hold.
If possible, put extra fendering (eg scaffold poles or strong timber posts) between your boat and the bank side, to 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, you should consider returning home or finding alternative accommodation until conditions improve.
If you are running low on essential supplies or have other safety concerns and are not able to vacate your boat safely, treat this as an emergency and dial 999 to ask for evacuation.
Those in hire boats: if you are advised to stop navigating, you should stop immediately and contact your hire boat operator and follow their instructions.
Please remember your life is more important than your boat
The Environment Agency does not provide emergency services and is not able to carry out search and rescue, or provide supplies to stranded boats.