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River Thames: Current River Conditions

United Kingdom·Briefly Analysis⏱️ 4 min read

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We use some essential cookies to make this website work. We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. The current conditions affecting boaters on the River Thames and what the warnings mean. Get emails about this page Print this page 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. 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. 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. A red sign with white text reading 'Caution: Strong stream'. When a strong stream warning has been issued, and red boards are displayed at our lock sites and on GOV.UK, the Environment Agency advises users of all boats not to navigate. The strong flows make it difficult and dangerous to navigate. The flow of water close to weirs and sluices is particularly hazardous and a risk to life. 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. A yellow sign with black text reading 'Caution: Stream increasing'. When these yellow boards are displayed, the Environment Agency advises: River flows are likely to strengthen, and strong stream boards could be displayed very soon and without further warning. The flow of water close to weirs and sluices is particularly hazardous and a risk to life. A yellow sign with black text reading 'Caution: Stream decreasing'. When these yellow boards are displayed, the Environment Agency advises: A stream decreasing warning board will be issued once a strong stream warning board is no longer required. The flow of water close to weirs and sluices, however, remains extremely hazardous and a risk to life. Keep well away from weirs and sluices at all times, but especially when any stream warnings are active. Flow conditions may change unexpectedly and without warning when our weir assets are being operated, making these areas extremely hazardous and a risk to life. 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. 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 fixings such as bollards, rings or even trees. Put

Source

Source: Original reporting via Environment Agency

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