Environment Agency
Before boating on the River Thames, you should check the current river conditions.
Navigation issues: updated 1 September 2024
| When | Where | Whats happening |
|---|---|---|
| 1 September 2024 until further notice | Teddington Lock | Barge lock traffic lights not operational. Upstream traffic to navigate with caution. |
| 9 July 2024 until further notice | Whitchurch Lock | Downstream lock cut obstructed by fallen tree in navigation. Boats are advised to navigate with caution. |
| 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 reported in central third of navigation channel, just upstream of St Marys Island. Boaters should navigate with caution and avoid using middle of the navigation at this location. |
| 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. |
River closures: updated 13 August 2024
| When | Where | Whats happening |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 15 August and Sunday 1 September 2024 | Caversham reach | Temporary Bridge for Reading Festival 2024: Festival Republic will be installing a temporary footbridge across the River Thames at Scours Lane. |
River restrictions: updated 22 August 2024
| When | Where | Whats happening |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 15 July to Friday 23 August 2024 | Hambleden reach | Deconstruction of the Henley Royal Regatta course 2024: boats travelling downstream should navigate within the regatta course from the regatta finish to the barrier. Boats travelling upstream should navigate on the Buckinghamshire bank/Fawley side of the regatta course. |
| Thursday 1 to Friday 30 August 2024 | Osney reach | East Street Pontoon 2024: a narrow 2 way navigation channel will be available for the period of the works. |
| Thursday 8 to Friday 30 August 2024 | Osney reach | East Street temporary dive works 2024: temporary dive works are being undertaken at Oxford Power Station, East Street. |
| Sunday 25 August 2024 8:30am to 6pm | Hambleden reach | The Skiff Championships Regatta 2024: the navigation channel will be on the Fawley Court, right side of the river. |
| Saturday 31 August 2024 11am to 4pm | Hambleden reach | Regatta for the Disabled, Henley 2024: the navigation channel will be on the Remenham, left side of the river. |
| Friday 6 September 2024 6pm to 8pm | Sunbury reach | Thames Valley Skiff Club Punt Racing Event 2024: the navigation channel will be on the Middlesex, right side of the river. |
| Saturday 7 September 2024 9am to 6pm | Teddington reach | World Series SUP Polo 2024: the Surrey, left channel of Ravens Ait will be restricted by up to half its normal width. |
| Saturday 7 September 2024 9am to 6pm | Teddington reach | The Skiff Club Regatta 2024: the navigation channel will be on the Middlesex, right side of the river. |
| Saturday 7 September 2024 10am to 5pm | Cookham reach | Cookham Regatta 2024: the navigation channel will be on the Bourne End, right side of the river. |
| Sunday 8 September 2024 10am to 6pm | Culham reach | ABF Dragon Boat Race 2024: the navigation channel will be on the north, left side of the river. |
| Saturday 14 September 2024 10am to 5pm | Teddington reach | Dittons Skiff and Punting Club Regatta 2024: the navigation channel will be on the Middlesex, right side of the river. |
Planned lock closures: updated 3 April 2024
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 in August each year. 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.
Email updates and newsletter
You can subscribe to newsletters about navigation on the River Thames and email updates on River Thames closures and restrictions.
To subscribe to or unsubscribe from this service, email riverthames@environment-agency.gov.uk with subscribe or unsubscribe in the subject line.
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