Navigation Closure River Stort – From Harlow Mill Lock 8 To Lower Lock 15, Roydon

We wanted to provide a quick update on the current water levels.

Water levels are still low and we will continue to monitor them closely on a daily basis. Unfortunately, we need a substantial amount of rainfall before we are likely to see water levels recover fully.

We understand this may not be the update you were hoping for and we appreciate your patience while we continue to keep a close eye on the situation.

We'll update this notice again as soon as we have any further information to share.

Thank you for your continued understanding and cooperation.

Please note that all locks between Harlow Mill Lock 8 and Lower Lock 15 will be opened for navigation from today until they close at 1:00pm on Thursday 6th August.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.  

Navigation Closures on the River Stort - between Harlow Mill Lock 8 and Lower Lock 15

We believe that the River Stort may soon become unnavigable between Harlow Mill Lock 8 and Lower Lock 15 due to reducing water flows along the river.

To help preserve the remaining water levels, all locks between Harlow Mill Lock 8 and Lower Lock 15 will be closed from 1:00pm on Thursday 7 August.

If you are currently navigating within this section, we strongly encourage you to move your boat, where possible, to either:

• the pound between Latton Lock 9 and Parndon Mill Lock 11, OR
• the pound between Roydon Lock 13 and Brick Lock 14.

Our teams will focus their efforts on maintaining water levels within these pounds to help keep boats safely afloat.

If you are unable to move your boat before the closure, please contact us via enquiries on 0303 040 4040. Subject to water levels, assisted booked passages may be possible between Wednesday 12 August and Friday 14 August, between 10:00am and 2:00pm.

Please note that:

• All passages must be booked and confirmed at least 24 hours in advance.
• When booking, please let us know where you are travelling from and your intended destination.

We are continuing to monitor the situation closely and will provide further updates on this notice as conditions change.

If the current drought conditions continue, it may become necessary to fully close the River Stort to navigation within the next fortnight.

Our teams will continue to do everything they can to support boaters and manage the available water as effectively as possible.

Thank you for your patience, cooperation and understanding during this challenging period.