Kintbury Lock to County Lock

Update :River Kennet Navigation Notice

Since the last notice issued 04/04/14, flows on this section are falling off rapidly in general, but please be aware there are very strong flows coming in from the North just above the Lock, Stock & Barrel pub and just downstream East of Newbury Lock.  Extreme caution is advised.

Updated River Kennet Navigation Notice.

Conditional Re-Opening of Kennet Navigation

 Flow on the river sections has continued to decrease and is now such that navigation can be considered.  However, the decision to navigate this section of the Waterway should not be taken lightly; ultimately, anyone attempting to navigate on the river must be sufficiently experienced and competent to be able to assess the conditions for themselves.

 In addition to the competence of the helmsman, only craft with sufficient power should attempt to navigate.  Do  not underestimate the strength of the river flow.

 Sections of the river are not suitable for novice and inexperienced boaters who could quickly find themselves in difficulty.  Boat hire companies are urged to assess the river condition for themselves before sending any craft out onto the river.

With respect to specific lengths, the following advice applies:

 Kintbury Lock to Newbury Lock;  navigable with extreme caution and care

 Newbury Lock to Tyle Mill; navigation is only suitable for experienced boaters exercising great care.  Note strong, fast flowing water through Newbury and adjacent to all control (sluices, weirs) structures.  Do not attempt to wind upstream of Ham Lock.  Gravel bars have been deposited downstream of Woolhampton Lock; it may not be possible to moor at the landing stage between the bridge and the lock. 

 Tyle Mill to Reading; strong flows throughout, extreme caution required.  Although County Lock is no longer submerged, the flow downstream of the weir and through the Oracle is very fast.  Navigation not recommended.

 Be aware that heading downstream is likely to be more hazardous than heading upstream.  Good boating practice is essential; for example, when heading downstream, always take a stern line first.

 Although the navigation is open, our strong recommendation is not to move your boat unless absolutely necessary and you are confident of your ability and the capability of your craft.  If in any doubt and you are safely moored, stay where you are.  We anticipate that in another week’s time, the river condition would have eased further.

Navigation Notice: Kintbury Lock, Kintbury to County Lock, Reading.

Update, 26 March 2014

Following review, we advise that the River Kennet Navigation remains closed between Kintbury and Reading.

River flow has reduced at a slower rate than could be hoped for, partly due to heavy rainfall toward the end of last week.  The actual reduction in flow rate at Newbury has been negligible and would continue to pose difficulties for most boaters, both novice and experienced.  The top lock gates at County, Reading, continued to be over-topped at the weekend; the lock is therefore impassable.

Further rain showers are forecast between now and the end of the week; hopefully these will be light and not sufficient to further delay reopening.

The section between Kintbury and Newbury is likely to be reopened first; the river condition will be reviewed again next week and this Notice will be updated.

MARK STEPHENS

BEng(Hons) CEng MICE

WATERWAY MANAGER

Kennet and Avon Waterways

Navigation Notice: Kintbury Lock, Kintbury to County Lock, Reading.

Update, 20 March 2014

Summary: Navigation to remain closed for at least another 6 days.  We forecast limited reopening of the Navigation toward the end of next week (28th March); however, this is subject to continued favourable conditions. It is likely that County Lock (Reading) will remain closed for another two weeks.  This Notice will be updated on Wednesday 26th March, following a review of conditions.

Report: Overall river flow continues to decrease as retained flood water finally leaves the river catchment area.  There has been little rain and a continued dry spell will make a significant difference to the navigation.

Flow rates remain very high.  At Newbury the flow rate is around 14 cumecs (14 cubic metres of water, per second).  Flow rates are difficult to picture; for context, 14cumecs is around 40% above the flow rate at which local trip boats would consider operating.

Specific current hazards include; the confluence of river and canal below Woolhampton, very fast moving water through the narrow sections of Newbury, trees partially blocking the navigation, gravel and silt bars forming where the river meets the canal and strong turbulence in the vicinity of weirs and sluices.  All sluices are open at Town Mills and in the past week there have been two incidents of boats being drawn sideways onto the swingbridge.  Our advice remains to stay put and stay safe.  Attempting to move boats in these conditions can pose a risk to yourself, other river users and to the canal structures.  Please be patient.

Some locks remain impassable due to high flow rates making it impossible to empty the lock while the top gates are overtopping; for example at Widmead.

This Notice will be reviewed and refreshed on Wednesday 26th March.

The Kennet end of the Waterway has started to return to normal operating levels and flow rates.  However, this natural process will not happen rapidly, the River Kennet typically responds slowly to changes in the weather.  Following the recent short spell of sunshine, it is tempting to hope that the Waterway will quickly return to a navigable state.  At present, this is not the case and the navigation remains closed between Kintbury and Reading.  County Lock remains submerged and inoperable and we have chained lock gates closed further upstream in order to control boat movements.  Even where water levels have returned to normal, flows remain exceptionally strong and most of our control structures (for examples weirs and sluices) are open, creating strong and turbulent localised currents.  To provide a context, flow rates during the last few weeks have been the highest recorded during the last twenty five years.

The decision to keep the navigation closed has not been taken lightly and the views of experienced, trusted boaters have been sought in coming to this decision.  We do fully expect the navigation to return to operational levels prior to the Easter Holidays and this notice will be updated on a weekly basis; more frequently if conditions change faster than anticipated.

Note that sections of the towpath are still submerged and as such unsuitable for cycling or walking.  Additionally, some sections of towpath have been badly damaged by recent flood events and there are still fallen trees and vegetation partially obstructing both the waterway and the towpath.  

We look forward to the river and the canal returning to a navigable state very soon and certainly before the Easter holidays commence.   In the meantime, we advise that boats stay put and stay safe.