Descriptions
Update 22 August 2025, 4:31pm
This closure remains in place to reduce water demand and allow water levels to recover. Our priority is to reopen the canal to navigation as soon as possible. We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates if conditions change.
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.
Original 23 July 2025, 3:12pm
We have continued to monitor the exceptionally dry conditions, and the impact on our reservoirs. Unfortunately, despite all our operational efforts, as rainfall has remained well below the long-term average, water levels in our feeder reservoirs are continuing to fall due to canal water demands.
We can now confirm that, from 12:30pm on Wednesday 30 July 2025, Wolverhampton Lock Flight will be closed to navigation until there is sufficient rainfall to replenish our reservoirs. This measure is necessary to help protect vital water resources on the Wolverhampton Level, which supports several other parts of the Birmingham Canal Navigations.
If there is enough rain to allow safe navigation, restrictions will be lifted immediately. However, this is likely to require sustained and prolonged rainfall over several weeks, rather than a single heavy downpour.
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, and reporting leaks or concerns via 0303 040 4040 or our Contact Us page.
