Present state of River Thames' flow and conditions
Safety Tips for Navigating the River Thames
As the summer season continues, many people are taking to the waters of the River Thames for leisure and recreation. However, it's essential to remember that the river can be unpredictable, and safety should always be a priority. Here are some important tips to keep in mind when boating on the River Thames.
First and foremost, ensure you have a safe exit ashore from your boat. The Environment Agency does not provide emergency services, search and rescue, or supplies to stranded boats. It's crucial to be prepared for any situation that may arise.
Be aware of possible shoals on the inside of river bends, as these can pose a hazard to boats. Limited space may also be available at some locks for mooring, so it's essential to plan your journey accordingly.
The Environment Agency advises against navigating when a strong stream warning is issued, and red boards are displayed. These warnings indicate dangerous strong currents and flows close to weirs and sluices that pose a risk to life. Keep well away from weirs and sluices at all times, but especially when any stream warnings are active.
When travelling upstream, keep red navigation buoys to the left and green buoys to the right. However, when travelling downstream, keep red buoys to the right and green buoys to the left. Single yellow marker buoys may be encountered on either side, and it's important to keep well clear of navigation buoys.
Secure mooring lines with bollards, rings, or trees, and put out extra lines for more security. Do not rely on your own mooring pins or stakes, as they might not hold. If possible, put extra fendering between your boat and the bank side.
Before taking a boat out on the River Thames, boat users should check for any closures or restrictions in their area. As of August 19, 2025, there are no active full river closures on the River Thames, but there are scheduled periodic closures of the Thames Flood Barrier for testing, requiring permission from London VTS to navigate in the control zone during those times.
For general enquiries, contact the Environment Agency through email, telephone, or post. For flood-related information, call Floodline's 24-hour service, and for environment incidents, call the Environment Agency's 24-hour service.
If conditions advise against navigating, stop and moor in a safe place, preferably in a marina or at a recognised mooring. If you are not able to vacate your boat safely and are running low on essential supplies or have other safety concerns, treat this as an emergency and dial 999. For life-threatening emergencies on the river, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
The river conditions on the River Thames are updated daily by 11am. The Environment Agency uses a system of colored warning boards at locks to indicate river conditions and restrictions. Red boards ("Strong stream warning") indicate dangerous strong currents, and all boat users are advised not to navigate. Yellow boards ("Stream increasing warning") indicate flow increasing, approaching dangerous conditions, and users of unpowered boats should not navigate, while powered boat users are advised to find a safe mooring. Yellow boards ("Stream decreasing warning") indicate flow decreasing but still hazardous, and users of unpowered boats should not navigate, while powered boat users may navigate but with caution.
In summary, safety is paramount when navigating the River Thames. Always check the conditions before setting out, secure your boat, and be aware of potential hazards. If in doubt, don't navigate, and find a safe place to moor. Enjoy your time on the river, but always prioritise safety.
References
[1] Environment Agency. (2025). River Thames Navigation Guide. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/river-thames-navigation-guide
[2] Environment Agency. (2025). Floodline Service. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/floodline
[3] Environment Agency. (2025). River Thames Navigation Warnings. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/river-thames-navigation-warnings
[4] Environment Agency. (2025). Thames Flood Barrier Testing. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/thames-flood-barrier-testing
[5] London VTS. (2025). Thames Barrier Control Zone. Retrieved from https://www.londontide.com/port-of-london/thames-barrier-control-zone/
- The weather conditions on the River Thames are updated daily by 11am, and it is essential to check them before setting out.
- The Environment Agency uses a system of colored warning boards at locks to indicate river conditions and restrictions, including strong stream warnings when the weather is particularly dangerous.
