Fairway depth - Caversham

[boatone]

On my way back down river, I touched (banged-it was hard rather than soft) bottom just below Caversham lock approcahing Better Boating.
As you can see from this Google Earth shot, shoals do extend out from the inside of the bend. To my best assessment I was within the red circled area.

My boat draws approx 4feet and the declared river depth in the main channel for this stretch is 4'6" although in reality there is usually around 8feet plus under the keel.

I did not touch bottom on the upstream passage when, with fuller tanks, my draft would have been a little deeper.

Seems theres a shallow bit or obstruction there that needs investigation - anyone else aware?

 

[byron]

Things are getting out of hand, soon the river will be impassible except for punts. Very worrying.

 

[DWT]

I've not noticed a problem there, but on the way up to Mapledurham recently a little way upstream of Reading Marine I noticed my log reading a very shallow stretch. This seems to be an increasing problem.

What was interesting last year when the cut into T&K marina silted up following the floods was the problem they had getting it dredged. They had someone ready to do the work on the Friday they became aware of the problem so that it was clear for the weekend. I only heard part of the conversation but they were tearing their hair out because they could not get permission to do the work. Something to do with getting a licence I think which could not be provided until the following week.

 

[miket]

During last week I have been told that river levels have been quite low in anticipation of the large quantity of rain forecast for mid week last week.
With my previous boat that drew 4.25 ft I alwayd hogged the middle of the straights and erred toward the outside of all bends.
None of which excuses the deplorable state of the depth of river.