Descriptions
Update 17 September 2025, 4:22pm
Please note change to start and end points for closure.
Following a sustained period of heavy rainfall, we can confirm the re-open the Huddersfield Narrow Canal between locks 1W and 22W with immediate effect. The remainder of the canal from L1E to L22W will remain closed as water levels in the reservoirs that feed the canal have shown little increase in levels. In addition, the supply into the summit of the canal from Yorkshire Water remains restricted, though we continue to regularly review this position with Yorkshire Water with the aim of returning the feed to normal levels at the earliest opportunity. The Standedge Tunnel Trip Boat and the Marsden Shuttle, operated by the Huddersfield Canal Society, will continue to run in the summit pound for as long as a safe and navigable water level can be maintained. We remain committed to reopening the remainder of the canal as soon as water levels allow. Thank you for helping us to conserve water across the network by:
- Sharing locks with other boaters
- Ensuring paddles are fully closed
- Reporting leaks or concerns to 0303 040 4040 or via our Contact Us page. A further update will be provided on Friday 26th September 2025, or sooner if the position changes.
Update 17 September 2025, 3:44pm
Following a sustained period of heavy rainfall, we can confirm the re-open the Huddersfield Narrow Canal between locks 1W and 22W with immediate effect. The remainder of the canal from L1E to L22W will remain closed as water levels in the reservoirs that feed the canal have shown little increase in levels. In addition, the supply into the summit of the canal from Yorkshire Water remains restricted, though we continue to regularly review this position with Yorkshire Water with the aim of returning the feed to normal levels at the earliest opportunity. The Standedge Tunnel Trip Boat and the Marsden Shuttle, operated by the Huddersfield Canal Society, will continue to run in the summit pound for as long as a safe and navigable water level can be maintained. We remain committed to reopening the remainder of the canal as soon as water levels allow. Thank you for helping us to conserve water across the network by:
- Sharing locks with other boaters
- Ensuring paddles are fully closed
- Reporting leaks or concerns to 0303 040 4040 or via our Contact Us page.
A further update will be provided on Friday 26th September 2025, or sooner if the position changes.
Update 3 September 2025, 2:50pm
The Huddersfield Narrow Canal remains closed to navigation due to ongoing low water levels. Spring and summer 2025 have been the warmest, sunniest, and among the driest on record. Unfortunately, these conditions are continuing into September. While there have been occasional showers and even heavy downpours, they have made little difference to reservoir storage or canal inflows, as much of the rainfall has been absorbed directly into the ground. As a result, navigation along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal must remain suspended. The Standedge Tunnel Trip Boat and the Marsden Shuttle, operated by the Huddersfield Canal Society, will continue to run in the summit pound for as long as a safe and navigable water level can be maintained. Next Steps
We will continue to monitor conditions carefully and provide updates if circumstances change. Although autumn often brings wetter weather, a period of prolonged and steady rainfall will be required before reservoir levels and canal supplies can recover sufficiently to reopen navigation. We know this is frustrating news and are committed to reopening the canal as soon as water levels allow. Thank you for helping us to conserve water across the network by:
- Sharing locks with other boaters
- Ensuring paddles are fully closed
- Reporting leaks or concerns to 0303 040 4040 or via our Contact Us page.
Next Update
26th September
Update 31 July 2025, 11:03am
Spring 2025 has been the warmest, sunniest and one of the driest on record and this will continue in August. Recent showery, and occasionally heavy, rainfall has made little impact to either reservoir holding levels or canal inflows, and rain has been largely absorbed into the ground. As such, navigation on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal will remain suspended. The Standedge Tunnel Trip boat and the Marsden Shuttle operated by Huddersfield Canal Society will continue to operate in the summit pound for as long as a navigable water level can be maintained. Next Steps We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide fortnightly updates, or sooner if conditions change. We understand that this continues to be disappointing news, and our priority is to reopen the canal to full navigation as soon as possible. We thank you for your support in reducing water use across our network. Where possible this includes sharing locks, closing paddles and reporting leaks or concerns via 0303 040 4040 or our Contact Us page. Next Update End of August 2025
Update 11 July 2025, 1:27pm
Spring 2025 has been the warmest, sunniest and one of the driest on record and this has continue into July. Recent showery, and occasionally heavy, rainfall has made little impact to either reservoir holding levels or canal inflows, and rain has been largely absorbed into the ground. As such, navigation on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal will remain suspended. The Standedge Tunnel Trip boat and the Marsden Shuttle operated by Huddersfield Canal Society will continue to operate in the summit pound for as long as a navigable water level can be maintained. Next Steps We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide fortnightly updates, or sooner if conditions change. We understand that this continues to be disappointing news, and our priority is to reopen the canal to full navigation as soon as possible. We thank you for your support in reducing water use across our network. Where possible this includes sharing locks, closing paddles and reporting leaks or concerns via 0303 040 4040 or our Contact Us page. Next Update End of July 2025
Update 6 June 2025, 8:13am
Spring 2025 has been the warmest, sunniest and one of the driest on record. Recent showery, and occasionally heavy, rainfall has made little impact to either reservoir holding levels or canal inflows, and rain has been largely absorbed into the ground. As such, navigation on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal will remain suspended.
The Standedge Tunnel Trip boat and the Marsden Shuttle operated by Huddersfield Canal Society will continue to operate in the summit pound for as long as a navigable water level can be maintained. Next Steps We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide fortnightly updates, or sooner if conditions change. We understand that this continues to be disappointing news, and our priority is to reopen the canal to full navigation as soon as possible. We thank you for your support in reducing water use across our network. Where possible this includes sharing locks, closing paddles and reporting leaks or concerns via 0303 040 4040 or our Contact Us page. Next Update On or before Friday 20 June 2025.
Update 23 May 2025, 10:21am
Despite the team's best efforts to preserve water and maximise all the water feeds into the canal, the prolonged dry spell means water supply to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal is unsustainable at current levels. With no discernible rain forecast, and thus little prospect of improvement in the medium term, we will be suspending navigation on the canal until further notice from Lock 1E to Lock 1W. This decision has been informed by the following: -
- Yorkshire Water is reducing water supplies to the canal; prioritising drinking water and river compensation feeds.
- The ongoing reconstruction of Lock 11W following last winter's storm damage
- The requirement to maintain a minimum level of water in the canal to protect fish and wildlife
The Standedge Tunnel Trip boat and the Marsden Shuttle operated by Huddersfield Canal Society will continue to operate in the summit pound for as long as a navigable water level can be maintained. Next Steps We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide fortnightly updates, or sooner if conditions change. We understand that this is very disappointing news, and our priority is to reopen the canal to full navigation as soon as possible. We thank you for your support in reducing water use across our network. Where possible this includes sharing locks, closing paddles and reporting leaks or concerns via 0303 040 4040 or our Contact Us page. Next Update On or before Friday 6 June 2025.
Update 16 May 2025, 4:33pm
The team have been closely monitoring the navigation. While there has been slight improvement as the pump begins to take effect, the navigation remains unsuitable for reopening at this stage. The section between Lock 42e and Lock 1e will therefore remain closed.
Update 9 May 2025, 2:11pm
The team have been closely monitoring the navigation. While there has been slight improvement as the pump begins to take effect, the navigation remains unsuitable for reopening at this stage. The section between Lock 42e and Lock 1e will therefore remain closed.
Update 1 May 2025, 5:42pm
The team has been closely monitoring the navigation. While there has been slight improvement as the pump begins to take effect, the navigation remains unsuitable for reopening at this stage. The section between Lock 42e and Lock 1e will therefore remain closed.
This notice was originally posted on an old system which has now been upgraded, the original description and latest update have been transferred here. To view any historical updates related to this notice, please click here.
Original 1 May 2025, 5:42pm
Water levels are very low in the canal between locks 42e and 1e. This stretch is not currently navigable. We will update the notice when the water level recovers.
