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 28 March 2023
You can also talk to lock staff to get the latest river conditions and strong stream warnings.
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 warning |
Buscot Lock to Grafton Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Grafton Lock to Radcot Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Radcot Lock to Rushey Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Rushey Lock to Shifford Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Shifford Lock to Northmoor Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Northmoor Lock to Pinkhill Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Pinkhill Lock to Eynsham Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Eynsham Lock to Kings Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Kings Lock to Godstow Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Godstow Lock to Osney Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Osney Lock to Iffley Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Oxford to Henley
Reach | Current conditions |
---|---|
Iffley Lock to Sandford Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Sandford Lock to Abingdon Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Abingdon Lock to Culham Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Culham Lock to Clifton Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Clifton Lock to Days Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Days Lock to Benson Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Benson Lock to Cleeve Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Cleeve Lock to Goring Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Goring Lock to Whitchurch Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Whitchurch Lock to Mapledurham Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Mapledurham Lock to Caversham Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Upstream of Blakes Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Caversham Lock to Sonning Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Sonning Lock to Shiplake Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Shiplake Lock to Marsh Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Marsh Lock to Hambleden Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Henley to Teddington
Reach | Current conditions |
---|---|
Hambleden Lock to Hurley Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Hurley Lock to Temple Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Temple Lock to Marlow Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Marlow Lock to Cookham Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Cookham Lock to Boulters Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Boulters Lock to Bray Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Bray Lock to Boveney Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Boveney Lock to Romney Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Romney Lock to Old Windsor Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Old Windsor Lock to Bell Weir Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Bell Weir Lock to Penton Hook Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Penton Hook Lock to Chertsey Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Chertsey Lock to Shepperton Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Shepperton Lock to Sunbury Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Sunbury Lock to Molesey Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
Molesey Lock to Teddington Lock | Red Caution strong stream warning |
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
When these red boards are displayed on lock gates, 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
When these yellow boards are displayed on lock gates, 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
When these yellow boards are displayed on lock gates, 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