Boaters' Update, water resources special, 17 Aug 26

Water and operations experts discuss current water resources

Water is one of our most valuable resources, and understanding its availability has never been more important. In this video, our head of water management, Dr Adam Comerford, and operations expert Charlotte Wood, come together to discuss the current state of water resources, the challenges facing waterways and water supply systems, and the steps being taken to manage them sustainably.

Join us for an insightful conversation as our specialists share perspectives on water management, operational impacts and how we're trying to eke out remaining supplies.

What does drought mean for boaters

Last week the Environment Agency announced that nearly three-quarters of England is now in drought, following the driest July since records began in 1836 and a dry start to August. With virtually no rain for months, our reservoirs and ground water resources are running low.  There are also increasing restrictions on how much water we can take from canal-feeding rivers. 

It is a challenging situation for all, and our teams and volunteers are working as hard as they can, seven days a week, to keep the canals in water and conserve what’s left for navigation. Hire boat operators are revising routes to safeguard people’s summer holidays, and boaters are playing a vital part by sharing locks and shutting paddles after use.  

While we’ve introduced more closures and restrictions to help make the water we have last, there are still waterways available for cruising. We’re asking everyone out boating to be water conscious when using locks and we have suspended the 14-day movement requirement until the end of August, so you don’t have to make trips if you don’t need to.  

Network map

Across the 2,000-mile canal network, there are currently 50 closures and 59 restrictions related to low water. It’s important to remember that stretches upstream of closures may be affected too, so please be careful if you’re boating in these areas.  

Sometimes we put in short-notice closures to help water levels recover and will reopen when they are healthier. We’re constantly reviewing supply and demand, with the aim of keeping navigation available for as long as possible. 

The situation is fast-moving. The best way to stay informed about restrictions is by signing up to email notifications for the waterways you’re interested in via the notices section of our website. Please check your route before you set off. 

The map of the affected areas can also be found there: just filter by reason: ‘Low Water Levels’ and select ‘Map View’. Here's how it looks at the time of going to press:

We’re prioritising activities that will have the greatest impact during the current conditions. This includes bringing forward work to locks on closed stretches of canal where we’ve already manufactured the gates ahead of our winter works. We’re investigating and fixing leaks, improving water flows through feeder channels where possible and assessing opportunities to reopen restricted sections when conditions allow. We’re also creating stretches of moorings with protected water levels to ensure that boats remain safe.  

Some examples

This week, we’re replacing the lock gates at Aynho Lock on the Oxford Canal. This is a tricky location, next to the River Cherwell, which means we can’t do the work in winter. We’d originally planned to carry out the replacement in October 2027 but had built the gates in advance should this situation arise.  

On the South Stratford Canal, we’re bringing forward the gate repair works at Lock 21, which we were planning to do after Christmas. We’ll be starting this work this week and completing the repairs within a couple of weeks. Given that the canal is currently closed, we’re also seeing whether we can bring forward other gate replacements and repairs on this part of the network. 

We’ve started repair work on the Trent & Mersey Canal in Middlewich, working at Locks 72 and 75 (set up at Lock 75 shown). This work is to reduce leaks through the gate planks, liners and cills, doing all we can in the two-week time period. We’ve completed similar work at Hurleston on the Llangollen Canal. 

At Derwent Mouth Lock 1 on the Trent & Mersey, we’ve carried out a repair to fix the leaking bottom gates, ahead of a full gate replacement in the future. We’re asking boaters exiting the lock to leave the lock chamber full to help conserve water. 

On the Caldon Canal we’re looking to replace the top and bottom lock gates at Froghall Lock, another project that was due to be carried out this winter. We’ll get all the materials and equipment to site next week, with work starting on 24 August. Road Lock 8, also originally planned for winter, is next on the list to see if we can bring the work forward. 

On the Grand Union Leicester Line and elsewhere, we’ve been using ash to seal lock gates and retain water within pounds along the canal. ‘Ashing up’ is a traditional method used to seal gaps in lock gates and minimise water loss, dating back to the 19th century. Lock keepers would apply coal ash overnight to maintain watertight locks. Over the years a range of alternatives – including rubber and polymer sealants, soaked sawdust, wood chips, and natural clay – have been tested. None, however, match the effectiveness of ash in creating a reliable watertight seal, and we continue to use this technique today. 

We’re clearing weed with a Truxor – an amphibious weed harvester – on the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal to improve the water flow. We’re also mending the Crooklands feeder and a culvert in Carnforth, so more water reaches the canal. 

Meanwhile, at Bradley, alongside the work we’re doing to craft lock gates, the pumps have been working double time to keep the Birmingham Canal Navigations supplied with water. 

Managing water supply

As part of managing the water supply, we’ve been locking up flights overnight. At Hanwell Flight on the Grand Union Canal, this simple action is saving the whole long pound. Lock flights can be far away from where our teams could be working and locking them every night takes time. Our volunteers have been invaluable in helping us carry out this task, and on the Rochdale Canal, we’re putting out a call for more people to come and help us.  

While we’re working to keep canals in water, the drought has wider implications for our work. We’re replacing the gates at Heale’s Lock in Newbury on the Kennet & Avon Canal in autumn and the gates are already made and at site. Our volunteers are currently watering lock gates twice a week to keep them from warping ahead of hanging them. Our canals are also playing a role in fighting wildfires, with the fire service taking canal water to put out blazes – an essential task, but one that is demanding on our water holdings. 

Thank you

We know that closures and restrictions are frustrating. Thank you to everyone who is helping us save water, and for your patience during these challenging times.