Lechlade to Oxford Back to Map ↓
| Reach | Current conditions |
|---|---|
| Upstream of St John's Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| St John's Lock to Buscot Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Buscot Lock to Grafton Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Grafton Lock to Radcot Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Radcot Lock to Rushey Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Rushey Lock to Shifford Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Shifford Lock to Northmoor Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Northmoor Lock to Pinkhill Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Pinkhill Lock to Eynsham Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Eynsham Lock to King's Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| King's Lock to Godstow Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Godstow Lock to Osney Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Osney Lock to Iffley Lock | No Stream Warnings |
Oxford to Henley Back to Map ↓
| Reach | Current conditions |
|---|---|
| Iffley Lock to Sandford Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Sandford Lock to Abingdon Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Abingdon Lock to Culham Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Culham Lock to Clifton Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Clifton Lock to Day's Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Day's Lock to Benson Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Benson Lock to Cleeve Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Cleeve Lock to Goring Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Goring Lock to Whitchurch Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Whitchurch Lock to Mapledurham Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Mapledurham Lock to Caversham Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Upstream of Blake's Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Caversham Lock to Sonning Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Sonning Lock to Shiplake Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Shiplake Lock to Marsh Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Marsh Lock to Hambleden Lock | No Stream Warnings |
Henley to Teddington Back to Map ↓
| Reach | Current conditions |
|---|---|
| Hambleden Lock to Hurley Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Hurley Lock to Temple Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Temple Lock to Marlow Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Marlow Lock to Cookham Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Cookham Lock to Boulters Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Boulters Lock to Bray Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Bray Lock to Boveney Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Boveney Lock to Romney Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Romney Lock to Old Windsor Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Old Windsor Lock to Bell Weir Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Bell Weir Lock to Penton Hook Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Penton Hook Lock to Chertsey Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Chertsey Lock to Shepperton Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Shepperton Lock to Sunbury Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Sunbury Lock to Molesey Lock | No Stream Warnings |
| Molesey Lock to Teddington Lock | No Stream Warnings |
Information for boaters
Low flows and water safety
We are experiencing an extended period of very dry weather. We need your help to try and minimise the effects of this dry weather by making sure all locks are as full as possible when used to save water. Some parts of the upper Thames are already experiencing very low flows, especially in backwaters and tributaries. To try and maintain flows and levels as best we can, to protect wildlife, reduce more serious impacts for navigation and maintain levels for public water supply, we may need to close locks outside of normal lock-keeper hours of duty. This could affect any of our sites along the length of the Thames. Should that be necessary, we will let you know at the earliest possible opportunity.
During periods of hot weather we see an increase in the number of people swimming in the river, including near vessels, and even jumping off bridges. Please be aware of this. We are working with partners to limit and prevent this. Our water safety advice is available at Staying safe around water - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Coronavirus information
Please find the latest guidance for all boaters on Environment Agency managed waterways here: Environment Agency waterways: Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates.
Lock keepers’ hours of duty
We aim to offer assisted passage to our boating customers during the boating season from 1 April to 30 September. We will also provide assisted passage during the Easter bank holiday weekend and spring and autumn half terms where these fall outside the season. Each lock will be manned by a resident, relief or seasonal Lock Keeper and/or volunteers, as appropriate and, wherever possible, to provide cover for staff breaks, weir work and maintenance. There may be occasions when we are unable to achieve this due to circumstances outside of our control such as staff illness.
Out of season between the 1 October and 31 March assisted passage may be available but cannot be guaranteed.
Our Lock Service Rota can be found here: River Thames: lock keeper service.
- July and August: 9am to 6:30pm
- May, June and September: 9am to 6pm
- April and October: 9am to 5pm
- November to March: 9:15am to 4pm
One hour lunch break taken between 1pm and 2pm when cover unavailable.
Public power to be provided at all locks except at Teddington Lock and the beam locks upstream of Oxford, when assisted passage is not being offered by a Lock Keeper or volunteer, unless we are unable to do so due to circumstances outside of our control such as power outage or breakdown.
The levels of service will be reviewed regularly. Our staffing levels are currently reduced as a result of coronavirus and long term sickness absence.
Service announcements
Some of our services are restricted due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency. Go to locks and facilities for boaters for more details.
Other service updates (Updated 21:50 3 August 2022)
Goring - Hand Wind overnight due to hydraulic fault. (updated 08/08 2130)
Bell Weir Reach - Hazard Warning - Please be aware a large tree has fallen into the river midway between French Brothers and the Bells of Ouzely Moorings, Navigate this section with care. What3Words location: ///back.point.blame
Shiplake Lock - Shiplake's pump-out and elsan are out of service until further notice.
Sunbury Lock - The head gate on the towpath side does not fully open and care must be taken when entering and exiting the lock.
Hurley Lock - The public toilet facilities are currently unavaiable. Alternative toilets have been made available in Hurley Village car park. The closure is due to issues with safety accessing the toilet block.
Mapledurham Lock - The pump-out facilities are available during lock keepers hours.
Boulters Lock - The gates on the pedestal side open the majority of the way. Please be cautious when entering and exiting the lock.
Boveney Lock - The pump-out and Elsan facilities are out of service until further notice.
Rushey Lock - The pump-out facilities remain closed until further notice.
Sanford Lock operable on hand wind only, until further notice. 1500 07/08 check back for updates
Marsh Head Horse Bridge - The towpath bridge upstream of Marsh Lock will be closed until further notice due to safety concerns. Our operational teams and framework specialists will be inspecting the bridge to determine necessary actions to safeguard bridge users. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes and will be working with the local authority to implement a footpath diversion as soon as possible.
Navigation markers
- When travelling upstream keep red obstruction marker buoys on your left and green buoys on your right.
- When travelling downstream, keep red buoys on your right and green buoys on your left.
- Single yellow marker buoys can be passed on either side.
In all cases, pass well clear of marker buoys, and take care. You should also be careful in the margins of the river and around bends, where river and weather conditions have resulted in shoals and tree debris collecting and some shallows forming.
24hr and Lock Moorings
Transiant moorings are now managed by Environment Agency Lock and Weir Keepers. Notices are posted on sites and boaters should report to lock keeper on arrival to report their stay.
Related Links
River Thames: restrictions and closures - Information about any closures and restrictions on the non-tidal River Thames.
River Thames: locks and facilities for boaters - Information about facilities for boaters at Environment Agency lock sites on the non-tidal River Thames and the River Kennet.
River and sea levels - Environment Agency service displaying the latest river and sea level data from around the country.
GaugeMap - An interactive map with flow rates, groundwater levels and other information on British and Irish rivers.
Environment Agency - River Thames boating pages including boat registration guidance and general river information.
Visit Thames - All you need to know about making more of the River Thames.
Port of London Authority (PLA) - Guidance for leisure and commercial craft wishing to navigate the tidal River Thames. Includes up to date tide information and navigation notices issued for the Port of London.
Canal and River Trust - Plan your canal cruising with the Canal and River Trust's regularly updated site.
River Wey Navigation - A tranquil waterway that runs for nearly 20 miles through the heart of Surrey and flows into the Thames near Shepperton.
River Wey Conditions - River Wey river conditions information.
Key
- Caution strong stream
- We advise users of all boats not to navigate because the strong flows make it difficult and dangerous.
- Caution stream increasing
- We advise users of all unpowered boats not to navigate and users of powered boats to find a safe mooring. This is because river flows are likely to strengthen and red boards could be displayed very soon and without warning.
- Caution stream decreasing
- We advise users of all unpowered boats not to navigate and users of powered boats to navigate with caution.
Floodline
This information is also available on Floodline. Call 0345 988 1188 and select option 1 for river information for boaters.
Contacts
Contact Name: The Environment Agency
Tel. 03708 506 506 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm)
Contact Name: Incident Hotline
Tel. 0800 80 70 60 (24 hour service)
