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Ripon Canal (Rhodesfield to Oxclose Locks) - CLOSED

Type: Navigation Closure

Waterway(s): Ripon Canal

From: 20 May 2025 12:00 pm

To: On-going

Region: Yorkshire and North East

Reason: Low Water Levels

Subject to review on: 30 June 2025

Location

Closest waterwayRipon Canal
Starts atLock 1 / Rhodesfield Lock
Ends atLock 3, Oxclose Lock

Descriptions

Update 16 June 2025 1:25 pm

Whilst we have experienced some rainfall, it has not made a significant impact on water levels on the Ripon Canal.

The River Skell which feeds the Ripon Canal is at critical levels due to the lack of recent rainfall within the catchment area.

To assist with water management of the canal, we are closing the Ripon Canal between Rhodesfield and Oxclose locks to reduce water usage.

Without significant rainfall the Environment Agency will ask us to cease abstraction from the River Skell. We are monitoring water levels on a daily basis and will continue to do so over the next two weeks.

As water levels have not recovered adequately, this has lead to the closure of the canal to protect wildlife and moored craft.

We will provide an update when water levels in the River Skell return to normal.   Please share locks to save water resources.

Update 6 June 2025 11:38 am

Whilst we have experienced some rainfall, it has not made a significant impact on water levels on the Ripon Canal.

The River Skell which feeds the Ripon Canal is at critical levels due to the lack of recent rainfall within the catchment area. To assist with water management of the canal, we are closing Rhodesfield & Bellfurrows locks to reduce water usage.

Without significant rainfall the Environment Agency will ask us to cease abstraction from the River Skell. We are monitoring water levels on a daily basis and will continue to do so over the next two weeks.

If water levels do not recover adequately, this may lead to the closure of the canal to protect wildlife and moored craft on the Ripon canal.  

We will provide an update when water levels in the River Skell return to normal.   Please share locks to save water resources.

Original 20 May 2025 2:43 pm

The River Skell which feeds the Ripon Canal is at critical levels due to the lack of recent rainfall within the catchment area.

To assist with water management of the canal, we are closing Rhodesfield & Bellfurrows locks to reduce water usage.

Without significant rainfall the Environment Agency will ask us to cease abstraction from the River Skell within the next two weeks.

This will lead to the closure of the canal to protect wildlife and moored craft on the Ripon canal.  

We will provide an update when water levels in the River Skell return to normal.   Please share locks to save water resources.

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