From Watford Lock 1 to Kings Lock 38

While the prolonged period of dry weather has now ended and rainfall so far this month is above average, there has been little to no recovery in reservoir water levels since the closure. 

However, we are hopeful that based on the anticipated increase in rainfall over the coming weeks, that we may be able to lift the closures and offer limited passage to allow movement before the start of the winter stoppage programme.  

If no further issues arise then the proposed opening times will be as follows:

 Monday 27th October to Sunday 2nd November the following locks will be open from 10am to 3pm, with last boat in at 2.00pm ·       Watford Locks ·       Foxton Locks

Locks between Kibworth Top Lock and Kings Lock will also be open 10am to 3pm.

We hope that this window of opportunity to travel will support boaters and boating businesses but strongly advise that everyone continue to check these notices for any updates and plan their journeys to ensure they have enough time to navigate through the restricted areas of the network.

We will update this notice to confirm the proposed plans on 24th October or sooner if we have further information. For more information on the water resource position please click here to read our position statement.

Despite the recent rainfall, the water levels in the reservoirs that supply the Leicester Line (Grand Union Canal) have not improved enough to allow us to relax the current navigation restrictions and closures.    To support boaters and boating businesses, we are now working towards offering a limited window of passage during the final two weeks of October (i.e. from Monday 20th October). This will enable:

• Boaters to return to their home moorings.
• Those needing to move closer to essential services ahead of our planned winter works programme, which begins in early November, to do so.
• Commercial operators to make the most of the final weeks of the season.

  We will share further details in October, once we have a clearer picture of water availability.  

This closure has now been extended from Kings Lock 38 to Freemans Meadow Lock 41 due to low water levels.

Due to reduced water feeds to this section, water levels are no longer safe to navigate between Kibworth Lock 18 and Kings Lock 38.  Without the ability to feed more water to the canal there is a strong likelihood that other areas will be impacted.    On Monday 18th August we will be locking all locks between Kilby Lock and Kings Lock and they will no longer be operable.  We strongly encourage all boaters to make their way to the Kilby pound or the pound at the bottom of Foxton Locks, which includes the Market Harborough Arm, where we will focus our efforts to create a safe haven for boaters.   Between now and Monday 18th August, we recommend all boaters in this area:

• Empty your waste tanks
• Fill up water and fuel tanks
• Stock up on essential supplies
• Mooring customers should regularly check and slacken their mooring lines.
• Move closer to essential facilities.

  Thank you for your ongoing patience, understanding, and support during these challenging times as we continue to do everything we can to protect the canals and support our boating community through this period.

Following on from the notice below, informing of the planned navigational closure from Watford Lock 1 to Kings Lock 38 from 29th July at 4pm, we wanted to provide greater clarity on what you can expect during this period.

While the closure is in place locks will be closed but boaters will be free to cruise along pounds between winding places, this includes the 22 mile pound between Watford Lock flight and Foxton Lock flight.

During the period of the closure, you may see Canal & River Trust workboats navigating.  This is because we want to use the opportunity to carry out essential repairs where possible, to minimise any future impact on navigation. 

We will be constantly reviewing the situation and as soon as conditions improve enough, we will do our upmost to provide temporary windows of passage through locks to allow boat movement.  This will be dependent on water levels improving adequately which is likely to require sufficient and prolonged rain over several weeks, rather than a sudden very heavy downpour.  

Following continued monitoring of the exceptionally dry weather and its impact on water resources, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily close the Leicester Line (Grand Union Canal), from Watford Lock 1 to Kings Lock 38, to navigation, effective from Tuesday 29 July 2025 at 4pm.   We understand that this closure may cause inconvenience and disappointment, and we want to reassure you that the decision has not been taken lightly. Our aim is to protect the broader network during this period of exceptionally low rainfall and high water demand.   Further information about the current restrictions in place in this area due to water resources, can be found here:

• Watford Locks: Watford Lock Flight | Canal & River Trust
• Foxton Locks: Foxton Lock Flight | Canal & River Trust
• Kibworth Top Lock 18 to Kings Lock 38: From Kibworth Top Lock 18 to Kings Lock 38 | Canal & River Trust

  We thank you for your support in reducing water use across our network, and reporting leaks or concerns via 0303 040 4040 or our Contact Us page.