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Closure from Lock 8 to Lock 5 due to low water levels. - *Reopened*

Type: Navigation Closure

Waterway(s): Rochdale Canal

From: 27 July 2026, 2:20pm

To: 10 August 2026, 9:25am inclusive

Region: Yorkshire and North East

Reason: Low Water Levels

Location

Closest waterwayRochdale Canal
Starts atLock 5, Edward Kilner
Ends atLock 8, Mayroyd

Descriptions

Update 10 August 2026, 9:23am

The local team have been closely monitoring the water levels over the weekend. The bywash is on at Lock 6, and the Lock 5 water levels have recovered enough for navigation. The closure is being removed and the local team will have the padlocks taken off to allow for boat movement. We ask that skippers of all crafts, operate the locks correctly and close down paddles after use and share locks where is the opportunity to do so. The team will still be closely monitoring the water levels for any changes.

Update 7 August 2026, 12:46pm

Unfortunately, the water levels have still not recovered to a navigable condition. We will continue to closely monitor the section and we will update the notice on Monday, but should there be any improvements before, then the notice will be updated beforehand.

Update 6 August 2026, 9:57am

The local team have attended to the section this morning and Lock 6 is slowly recovering and Lock 5 is empty. The closure will remain for the rest of the day and overnight to help the levels to recover to navigable levels. We will continue to monitor and assess the situation tomorrow and update the notice accordingly.

Update 5 August 2026, 10:01am

The closure will remain in place for today. There has been a slight improvement but it is still too low for boat movement. We will continue to monitor the section of Lock 5 to Lock 8 and we will update the notice tomorrow morning.

Update 30 July 2026, 9:14am

The water levels from Lock 13 down to Lock 9 have improved enough to be reopened and the padlocks are being taken off. However, the section from Lock 8 to Lock 5 still has not recovered, so will remained padlocked up until the water levels improve. We will closely monitor the closed section and will update the notice accordingly when there are improvements to the water levels.

Update 29 July 2026, 10:42am

The water levels still have not improved enough to reopen. The section shall remain padlocked and it will be reviewed again tomorrow morning.

Update 28 July 2026, 2:27pm

The closure between Lock 6 and Lock 13 will remain in place overnight. Locks 7 through to Lock 13 are being secured with padlocks. Lock 7 has already been locked, and the remaining locks up to Lock 13 are currently being secured, all expected to be completed by 3:00pm. All of these locks will remain padlocked overnight. We will update the notice tomorrow.

Update 28 July 2026, 10:01am

Unfortunately, the water levels have not been able to recover overnight and Lock 10 and Lock 9 are especially low. We have extended the length covering Lock 13 to Lock 6 and are having to close it for it further length of time. We will update the notice when the water levels have recovered to a navigable level.

Original 27 July 2026, 2:17pm

Due to low water levels in the section from Lock 12 to Lock 6, a navigation closure has been put in place. By closing this section, we are hoping that the water levels will be given time to recover overnight and that the bywash at Lock 13 will be able to replenish this section of navigation and improve the water levels overnight

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