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 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
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
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
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