Waterway dimensions

Waterway levels can vary greatly depending on how much rain we've had or how dry it's been. Waterways marked as '(narrow)' are not suitable for boats with a beam greater than 2.13m (7ft).

Boat’s draught

Be sure to consider your boat's draught properly. It may appear to be appropriate for the waterway you intend to use it on, but there may be more to think about.

Because of the way canals are constructed, that maximum depth does not extend for the full width of the waterway. There is often a slope from the towpath and bank to the main navigational channel, which will reduce the maximum depth closer to the bank or towpath.

The water on our network is flowing. The flow and movement of boats will move and deposit silt, which will also reduce the maximum depth at some points and often settles at the base of the sloped sides.

This can be evenly distributed or more irregular, depending on the water flow, items on the canal bed, traffic, and whether the stretch of waterway is on a bend.

Our dredging programme maintains the main navigation channel, but there may be times where isolated areas of silt build up. Where we are aware of these cases, we will spot-dredge the area.

Our dredging programme will not remove all silt that has settled outside of the main navigation channel, so if you have a wide, flat hull or bilge/twin keels, you may ground your boat when outside of the main navigation channel or when mooring. Boats with these features may also experience grounding outside of the navigation channel due the shape of the waterway cross-section.

You should consider this when comparing your boat's draught to our published dimensions. You should make sure your boat's draught is not too close to the maximum draught, particularly if you have a widebeam boat or have a flatter hull or bilge/twin keels. You should also give extra consideration to your boats draft when water levels are lower, for example in sustained warmer weather.

If you find that your boat is unsuitable for the waterway you are on because of its draught, you will be responsible for the removal of your boat from the waterway, any damage caused to the boat, or the network, and any associated costs.

Below are some illustrations showing an example of a canal bed's shape in cross-section and how silt can build up. Canal construction can vary and not all cross sections will be the same. The below are just examples. If you have specific queries about a waterway, please contact us and we will try to help.

The below illustrations show how the profile of the canal bed should be considered, particularly for certain styles of boat including those with bilge keels and flatter hulls.

Tumblehome

When bringing your boat onto any of our waterways, you need to consider its dimensions. Because of their differing histories, our waterways vary in their dimensions. This is also true of some of our bridges, tunnels, locks and other structures that you may encounter on your journey. It's really important that you research the waterway you intend to use for your journey and consider the dimensions of your boat.

Unfortunately, sometimes boats cause damage to our network and structures because they are used on waterways that cannot accommodate their dimensions. There are also times where boats are damaged or become stuck on, or under, structures and block the navigation.

This is relevant for all dimensions of the boat: not just width.

The profile of your boat is important, too. Your boat's tumblehome should be considered. Tumblehome is the degree of angle from the highest point of the cabin side to the gunwales of the boat. Having cabin sides that lean inwards helps boats avoid contact with the walls of our arched tunnels and bridges. On some boats, cabin sides that are upright, or extend outwards, can be more likely to strike bridges and tunnel walls.

You should also consider the widest point of your boat and its surface area. A small surface area is more likely to cause damage on contact with structures or boats than a wider one. Remember, you may not always be able to see the widest point of your boat. It may be the widest point is the baseplate, below the water, that extends wider that the rubbing guards, that are visible.

Some boats also have boarding steps at the back end of the stern which protrude out from the hull side, which are the widest point.

Here are some example boat profiles:

Assessing your boat's dimensions ahead of your journey can help reduce the risk of damaging your boat, or someone else's. You'll also help preserve our network and reduce the cost to the Trust of repairing damage. It will also make sure that you comply with the terms and conditions of your boat licence.

You can also find specific information for the waterway you plan to travel on, here. Selecting the list view will show waterway dimension information and some extra information about structures you may encounter.

We also have some information about planning your journey, here.

If you still want to discuss your boat or its dimensions, you can talk to our team, here.

Maximum craft dimensions

Aire & Calder Navigation

Castleford Lock is limiting due to the curve of the lock chamber. Heck Road Bridge is now lower than Stubbs Bridge (investigations underway), which was previously limiting. A height of 3.6m (11ft 9") at Heck should be seen as maximum at the crown during normal water.

Note 1: Pleasure craft dimensions showing small lock being limiting unless by previous arrangement to access full lock.

Note 2: Headroom at Crown Point Bridge at summer levels.

Note 1: Broadreach Lock: Pleasure craft dimensions showing small lock being limiting unless by prior arrangement to access full lock giving an extra 43m.

Note 2: Heck Road Bridge: Still limiting due to constraints on other sections leading to the Wakefield Branch. A height of 3.6m at Heck should be seen as maximum at the crown during normal water level.

Selby Canal

Note: Burton Hall Bridge is the limiting dimension.

Ashby Canal (narrow)

Ashton Canal (narrow)

Birmingham Canal Navigations (narrow)

Note: Headroom through Dudley Tunnel is considerably restricted, contact local office for further information.

Birmingham & Fazeley Canal (narrow)

Bridgwater & Taunton Canal

Note: Locks are 4.42m (14ft 6") wide; beam is restricted by bridges.

Calder & Hebble Navigation

Caldon Canal (narrow)

Note: Headroom through Froghall Tunnel considerably restricted to 2.03m (6ft 8") beam and 1.52m (5ft) headroom.

Pinch point: Less than 2.13m (7ft) at Consal Forge Railway Bridge (landslip).

Tunnel: 2.13m (7ft) beam is acceptable, the issue is tumblehome and height.

Chesterfield Canal

Note: Whitsunday Pie Lock walls taper towards the lock floor and you need to take this into account when navigating this canal. Measurements within stoppages are being taken this winter to determine the dimensions of known pinch points.

Note: Locks up to Redford are 4.57m (15ft) wide but navigation for broad bean craft is restricted due to the width 2.59m (8ft 6") at Manor Farm Bridge, Walkeringham.

Note: Some locks are only just 2.13m (7ft) wide and passage for some craft up to 2.13m (7ft) beam may be possible.

Coventry Canal (narrow)

Droitwich Canal

Bridge 15 to Barge Lock (narrow)

River Salwarpe Barge Lock to Junction Lock 7 (narrow)

Droitwich Junction Canal River Salwarpe to Hanbury Junction Lock 7 (narrow)

*Narrow beam boats will fit up to the longer length shown.

Pinch points: M5 and the top lock.

Erewash Canal

Note 1: Beam is limited by low arched bridges; wider beam up to about 13ft may be possible depending on the headroom needed.

Note 2: Locks are more than 4.27m (14ft) wide and will therefore take two narrowboats.

Fossdyke Navigation

Gloucester & Sharpness Canal

Note: Parkend Bridge/Fretherne at 3.5m (11ft 6") draught. The main constraint is the approach to each bridge at a specified depth. Harbour master to advise.

Note 2: 64m (201ft) limitation due to bends in canal. See advice from harbour master for longer vessels.

Gloucester Docks to River Severn through Gloucester Lock

Grand Union Canal

Note: Duplicated locks; one lock is larger than the other.

Regents Canal

Paddington Arm (Grand Union Canal)

Grand Union Canal (Main Line)

Pinch point: 14ft Lock S. Leighton Buzzard.

NOTE: Bridge 24 Warwickshire Fly Boats, Long Itchington, between Bridge 22, Bridleway and Bridge 60, Blue Bridge the maximum beam for navigation is reduced to 12’.

Upstream winding hole: Kingswood Junction Downstream winding hole: Napton Junction

Further information available on our notices and stoppage page.

Pinch point: top of Camp Hill.

Slough Arm (no locks)

Note: adjoining waterways: max length: 21.95m (72ft), max beam: 4.27m (14ft).

Wendover Arm (narrow)

Aylesbury Arm (narrow)

Northamption Arm (narrow)

Leicester Line (Grand Union Canal)

Welford Arm (narrow)

Market Harborough Arm

Hertford Union Canal

Huddersfield Broad Canal

Huddersfield Narrow Canal (narrow)

Note: 7ft beam up to Lock 21W.

Note: The height restriction tallies with that of Standedge Tunnel, and the restriction applies before HNC at Lock 1.

Kennet & Avon Canal

Lancaster Canal including Glasson Branch

Height at Ashton Basin 2m (6ft 7").

No navigable locks on the Lancaster, just the Ribble Link and Glasson Branch.

Lee Navigation

Below Old Ford Locks (entering from Limehouse)

Leeds & Liverpool Canal

Note: Limiting height in Foulridge Tunnel

Leigh Branch

Rufford Branch

Llangollen Canal (narrow)

Pinch point: Hurleston

Macclesfield Canal (narrow)

Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal

Note: Ashford Tunnel limits cabin profile, e.g. 1.7m (5ft 7") height at 2.1m (6ft 10") width. Contact local office for further detail.

Montgomery Canal (narrow)

River Ouse (Yorkshire)

Note: Depths are in all cases dependants on river/tidal conditions.

Oxford Canal (narrow)

Braunston Junction to Wigrams (Napton Junction) (Narrow)

Wigrams (Napton Junction) to Oxford (narrow)

Pinch point: second lock up.

Braunston Junction to Hawkesbury Junction (Sutton Stop) (narrow)

Peak Forest Canal (narrow)

Pocklington Canal

Ribble Millenium Link

Note: Boat size is recommended from channel widths rather than lock sizes, confirm with us before passage - Locks 7, 8, and 9 are tidal.

The locks on the Ribble Link are for crafts 21.94m (72ft) although the Rufford Branch is 18.9m (62ft).

Ripon Canal

Rochdale Canal

Pinch point: Rodwell Tower 4.14m (13ft 6").

River Severn

Note: Draught and headroom measured at low summer levels.

Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation

Rotherham to Bramwith inc New Junction Canal

Sheffield & Tinsley

Note: The cill and channel depth from Tinsley Bottom Lock to Sheffield Basin has a maximum draught of 1.22m (4ft).

Stainforth & Keadby Canal

Note: Through passage is limited by Thorne Lock. For the Bramwith to Thorne section, dimensions are as for the main line to Rotherham. Passage from River Trent to Thorne is limited by Keadby Lock 23.67m x 6.86m (77ft 7" x 22ft 6") although longer craft can travel when the tide makes a level. Two narrowboats up to about 18.79m (61ft 8") can pass through Thorne Lock diagonally.

Shropshire Union Canal

Ellesmere Port to tail of Northgate Locks (Chester)

Pinch point: Motorway bridge 2.95m (9ft 8"); Ellesmere Port and the Railway Bridge below Bunbury at 22.43m (73ft 6").

Middlewich Branch (narrow)

River Soar

From the junction with the River Trent to Leicester

Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal (narrow)

River Stort

Pinch point: Brick Lock

Stourbridge Canal (inc. Stourbridge Town Arm) (narrow)

Stratford-Upon-Avon Canal

Note: Height restrictions at bridge coming off river.

Pinch point: Bridges 44 and 47.

Lapworth to Kings Norton (including Kingswood Branch) (narrow)

Tees Navigation

Trent Navigation (inc. Beeston Cut & Nottingham Canal)

Shardlow to tail of Meadow Lane Lock, Nottingham

Note: Navigation includes Nottingham/Beeston Canal

Meadow Lane Lock to Cromwell Lock Tail (tidal)

Pinch point: Newark Town Bridge

Tail of Cromwell Lock (tidal) to Gainsborough

Trent & Mersey Canal

Croxton to Wardle Junction (Middlewich Branch) (narrow)

Wardle Junction to Trentham Lock (narrow)

Trentham Lock to Great Haywood Junction (narrow)

Great Haywood Junction to Horninglow Basin, Burton-on-Trent (narrow)

Horninglow Basin to Shardlow

Shardlow to Derwent Mouth Lock

River Ure

From its junction with the Ripon Canal to Swale Nab

Weaver Navigation

River Witham Navigation

Note: Glory Hole Bridge, Lincoln, is 4.64m wide

Worcester & Birmingham Canal