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Guidance: River Thames: current river conditions

Environment Agency

December 2
11:09 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 2 December 2023

We update our information about the river conditions and strong stream warnings once a day by 11am. You should also check the warning boards displayed at lock sites or talk to lock staff if you are using your boat on the river.

Lechlade to Oxford

Reach Current conditions
Upstream of St Johns Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
St Johns Lock to Buscot Lock Red caution: strong stream
Buscot Lock to Grafton Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Grafton Lock to Radcot Lock Red caution: strong stream
Radcot Lock to Rushey Lock Red caution: strong stream
Rushey Lock to Shifford Lock Red caution: strong stream
Shifford Lock to Northmoor Lock Red caution: strong stream
Northmoor Lock to Pinkhill Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Pinkhill Lock to Eynsham Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Eynsham Lock to Kings Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Kings Lock to Godstow Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Godstow Lock to Osney Lock Red caution: strong stream
Osney Lock to Iffley Lock No stream warning

Oxford to Henley

Reach Current conditions
Iffley Lock to Sandford Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Sandford Lock to Abingdon Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Abingdon Lock to Culham Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Culham Lock to Clifton Lock Red caution: strong stream
Clifton Lock to Days Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Days Lock to Benson Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Benson Lock to Cleeve Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Cleeve Lock to Goring Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Goring Lock to Whitchurch Lock Red caution: strong stream
Whitchurch Lock to Mapledurham Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Mapledurham Lock to Caversham Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Upstream of Blakes Lock Red caution: strong stream
Caversham Lock to Sonning Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Sonning Lock to Shiplake Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Shiplake Lock to Marsh Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Marsh Lock to Hambleden Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing

Henley to Teddington

Reach Current conditions
Hambleden Lock to Hurley Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Hurley Lock to Temple Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Temple Lock to Marlow Lock Red caution: strong stream
Marlow Lock to Cookham Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Cookham Lock to Boulters Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Boulters Lock to Bray Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Bray Lock to Boveney Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Boveney Lock to Romney Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Romney Lock to Old Windsor Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Old Windsor Lock to Bell Weir Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Bell Weir Lock to Penton Hook Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Penton Hook Lock to Chertsey Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Chertsey Lock to Shepperton Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Shepperton Lock to Sunbury Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Sunbury Lock to Molesey Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing
Molesey Lock to Teddington Lock Yellow caution: stream decreasing

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, 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 displayed, the Environment Agency advises:

  • users of all unpowered boats not to navigate
  • users of powered boats to find a safe mooring

River flows are likely to strengthen, and strong stream boards could be displayed very soon and without further warning.

Stream decreasing warning

A yellow sign with black text reading 'Caution: Stream decreasing'.

Stream decreasing warning board

When these yellow boards are displayed, the Environment Agency advises:

  • users of all unpowered boats not to navigate
  • users of powered boats to navigate with caution

Using navigation marks

When travelling upstream, keep red navigation buoys to your left and green navigation buoys to your right.

When travelling downstream, keep red buoys to your right and green buoys to your left.

You may pass single yellow marker buoys on either side.

In all cases, keep well clear of navigation buoys. Be aware of possible shoals on the inside of river bends.

Dealing with changing river conditions

If you find yourself in conditions where the Environment Agency advises you to stop navigating, please take the advice and 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.

You may find the following measures helpful. Not all conditions will be serious enough to need all the suggested measures.

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 fix

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