Watford Lock Flight - Leicester Line

Recent rainfall has provided some relief to reservoirs feeding into the canal system. We are therefore able to remove the restrictions at Watford from 1 November 2022.

However, it must be noted that this summer’s weather has been significantly drier than normal. Many of our reservoirs are well below normal for the time of year and will require all winter to refill, not just following a wet week’s weather.

Therefore, we will be monitoring the refill of our reservoirs very closely over the coming months.

Boaters are encouraged to check the Trust’s Stoppage Notices for updates.  The Trust’s drought pages provide information on the current situation: canalrivertrust.org.uk/specialist-teams/managing-our-water/drought

After an extremely dry year our reservoir levels are still low and below where we would expect them to be at this time of year.  The recent rainfall has had a small effect on levels. 

Therefore, restrictions will remain in force at Watford, however opening and closing times will be advanced by 30 minutes on 30th October when clocks revert to GMT.

From 30th October, opening time: 9:30am

Last boat in: 2:45pm

Closing time: 3:30pm

Updated to correct a date typo in the previous notice – please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

After a relatively dry late spring into the summer, levels in reservoirs are lower than normal for the time of year.

In order to maximise the available water, the Trust is taking the sensible precaution of locking targeted locks up overnight. This measure is intended to reduce the potential for water losses overnight and allow back-pumps more time to transfer water from the Braunston Summit onto the Leicester Summit.

During this period from 8th August onwards, boats will only be allowed through between 10am and 4pm, last boat through at 3:15pm.  

We will continue to monitor our reservoir storage and canal opening hours with a view to keeping disruption to a minimum whilst balancing a need to save water.

Boaters also have a really important role to play, and we ask that they help us to save water by making sure that all gates and paddles are closed after use, sharing a lock if possible and waiting for oncoming boats where appropriate.  

For more water saving tips go to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/boating/a-guide-to-boating

After a relatively dry late spring into the summer, levels in reservoirs are lower than normal for the time of year.

In order to maximise the available water the Trust is taking the sensible precaution of locking targeted locks up overnight. This measure is intended to reduce the potential for water losses overnight and allow back-pumps more time to transfer water from the Braunston Summit onto the Leicester Summit.

During this period from 3rd August onwards, boats will only be allowed through between 10am and 4pm, last boat through at 3:15pm.  

We will continue to monitor our reservoir storage and canal opening hours with a view to keeping disruption to a minimum whilst balancing a need to save water.

Boaters also have a really important role to play and we ask that they help us to save water by making sure that all gates and paddles are closed after use, sharing a lock if possible and waiting for oncoming boats where appropriate.  

For more water saving tips go to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/boating/a-guide-to-boating

After a relatively dry late spring into the summer, levels in reservoirs are lower than normal for the time of year.

In order to maximise the available water the Trust is taking the sensible precaution of locking targeted locks up overnight. This measure is intended to reduce the potential for water losses overnight and allow back-pumps more time to transfer water from the Braunston Summit onto the Leicester Summit.

During this period, boats will only be penned between 10am and 4pm, last boat through at 3:15pm.  

We will continue to monitor our reservoir storage and canal opening hours with a view to keeping disruption to a minimum whilst balancing a need to save water.

Boaters also have a really important role to play and we ask that they help us to save water by making sure that all gates and paddles are closed after use, sharing a lock if possible and waiting for oncoming boats where appropriate.  

For more water saving tips go to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/boating/a-guide-to-boating

28th March 22 - 18th September 22 -

Open 8am

Last Boat 6:15pm

Close 7pm. 

19th September 22 - 16th October 22 -

Open 8am

Last Boat 5:15pm

Close 6pm. 

17th October 22 - 26th March 23

Open 9am

Last Boat 2:45pm

Close 3:30pn.