River Thames closures, restrictions and conditions

Information for boaters using the River Thames.

If you would like to keep up to date with River Thames closures, restrictions and drought information, you can subscribe to our email updates service. Simply send an email to the following address, with the subject SUBSCRIBE:

Email the River Thames team

Drought update

The south east of England remains in drought. This may affect boating on the Thames this summer.

More information on the possible impacts for boaters

Lock closures

Our 2011/12 Waterway Investment Programme includes a number of lock closures throughout the winter.

Full list of River Thames lock closures

River closures

There are currently no river closures on the River Thames.

River restrictions

Event	Location	Date
2012 Olympics - Dorney Reach height restriction (PDF, 51KB)	Dorney reach, between Bray and Boveney Locks	March to September 2012
2012 Olympics - preparatory works (PDF, 56KB)	Boveney reach, between Bray and Boveney Locks	1 April - 30 June 2012
Cookham Lock handwind - between 22.00 and 07.00 (PDF, 48KB)	Cookham Lock	16 April 2012 - TBC
Henley Royal Regatta - construction restriction (PDF, 58KB)	Henley Reach	23 April - 11 June 2012
Maidenhead Junior Regatta (PDF, 59KB)	Bray Reach	20 May 2012
Walton and Weybridge Regatta (PDF, 59KB)	Sunbury Reach	26 May 2012
Weybridge Ladies' Amateur Rowing Club Regatta (PDF, 60KB)	Sunbury Reach	27 May 2012
Marlow Town Regatta (PDF, 58KB)	Reach, Bisham Abbey to Higginson Park	9 June 2012
Kingston Rotary Club Dragon Boat Event (PDF, 58KB)	200 metres below Kingston Railway Bridge to 100 metres above Steven's Ait, Kingston	15 July 2012

Facility updates

Location	Facility type	Description	Start date	Finish date
Bell Weir Lock	Public toilet	Temporarily out of order	21 October

River conditions

All river activities are more dangerous when there are strong currents, high river levels or cold weather. Flows can increase even during the summer months – never assume sunny weather means the conditions are not hazardous.Find out about River Thames conditions from the Environment Agency's River Thames conditions update service:

River Thames conditions

Strong stream warnings

When we display red 'Caution strong stream' warning boards on lock gates, we advise boaters not to navigate because strong flows will make passing through the lock difficult and dangerous.

If you have hired a boat and arrive at a lock where these boards are displayed, you should stop immediately and contact your hire boat operator for advice.

Stream increasing warnings

When we display yellow 'Caution stream increasing' warning boards on lock gates, we advise you to find a safe mooring or leave the water. This is because river flows are likely to strengthen. We may display red 'Caution strong stream' warning boards very quickly and without warning.

When we are displaying these yellow boards on lock gates, we advise powered boaters to proceed with caution, and unpowered boats not to navigate.

Other ways to find out about River Thames conditions

Call our Floodline on 0845 988 1188 to hear recorded information and advice (select option 1 and when prompted dial 011131)
Talk to one of our lock staff who will be able to give advice on local conditions and moorings