Henley Royal Regatta - Strong Stream warnings

[Brayman]

Just received a letter/email from Eileen McKeever of the EA warning of strong stream and possible river closures during Regatta. Text includes:-
"Although the River Thames is not suffering from the extremely high river levels that exist in other parts of the country, we are writing to let you know about the existing river conditions and how these might develop if we experience further heavy rainfall over the next few days.

* Flows on the River Thames are significantly higher than normal for the time of year

* Yellow ‘CAUTION – STREAM INCREASING’ warning boards are displayed at most locks

* Our advice when yellow ‘CAUTION – STREAM’ warning boards are displayed is for all unpowered vessels to moor up until the stream abates

* Red ‘CAUTION – STRONG STREAM’ warning boards are displayed at several locks

* Further periods of rainfall will inevitably lead to a greater number of STRONG STREAM warnings coming into force

* Our advice during periods of STRONG STREAM is for all vessels to stop navigating and seek a secure mooring until the stream abates

We will be carrying out operational Risk Assessments both before and during the regatta, based upon river conditions in the Hambleden reach.

It is highly likely that during STRONG STREAM we will close the river to ordinary navigation between Marsh and Hambleden Locks for the safety of all river users, although we hope this situation will not arise.

This is because of the significant risk created by the presence of large numbers of vessels of all sizes negotiating the navigation channel in these difficult conditions. The strength of the stream and height / width restrictions through Henley Bridge and Fawley Narrows make these locations particularly hazardous. "

Let's hope it clears for the Music Festival.

 

[Doolittle]

Flexi-Club were churning out their Narrow Boat charters this afternoon out of Penton Hook Marina, telling them to that if they wanted to head upstream, to head downstream first and turn at a wide part of the river. That so happens to be opposite us and the Intake. Bluddy pandemonium ensued. Two Nabos taking out trees. a small speed boat and a Seamaster moored. Poor folks from Sweden were is shock when I moseyed over for a chat after they moored up. They were waiting for someone from the hire company to help them.

Why on earth the hire companies let nabos out in these conditions is beyond me. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[TrueBlue]

That seems like silly advice (for Penton Hook anyway) to me. You have to go quite a distance downstream before there is room to turn a NB. Even if you're experienced and use the stream to assist it's still a tricky manoeuvre. These hire boats have very small engines and not enough power to punch a strong stream.

The eddy from PH's House weir can be used to push the stern round to good effect, but you can't expect a complete beginner to understand that.

Daft.

I complained to EA on the last occasion that Reds and Yellows were displayed upstream, saying that hire boats were still moving even though we had stopped. I estimated that the current was approx: 6mph!

EA's response that the boats were being piloted by staff from the hire base. In your dreams! Strong stream conditions rarely happen in the summer cruising season and my contact was concerned that there were so many boats moving. EA are "looking at the problem". Hell surely will have flooded over before any action is taken.....

 

[boatone]

Don't know how you qualify to get that sort of info direct from ythe EA but their website (and VisitThames) is a bloody disgrace when it comes to advice and current information about river conditions.

I have jusy spent about 15 minutes deliberately trying to find info about current Thames river conditions and there is ZILCH !!

Surely anyone with an ounce of intelligence would have set up a clearly accessible web page for what is without doubt a major issue for river users.

 

[Brayman]

I agree, I've had a go at them about it too - no repsonse yet. Even if they just put the recorded message on there it would be an improvement, I can never remember the speed dial numbers so have to go to the web site to get it anyway.
All the fuss abut the NEW visitthames web site and it is useless.

 

[andyoxon]

My letter dropped on the doormat this morning. I think that it's been going to anyone with a base mooring in the Henley / Hambleden etc areas. Of course, they are more likely to appreciate the stream conditions than someone coming from further afield, who it could be argued need the info more. And earlier to avoid wasted trips etc.

Andy

 

[TrueBlue]

The email distribution of Nav: Notices has disappeared - or my email has been chopped, so the only info I get is from your goodself. FloodLine info is not updated enough or very specific to be of much use. The message on Thursday was - we might update it on Mnoday...

If you look at the title of the website VisitThames and translate that literally, then I guess it does what it says on the tin. It's for visitors; nothing for the locals. It also relies heavily from third parties lobbing in their details, being new it is a bit thin.

I'm not defending it - merely translating what I suspect EA's perspective is?

BTW I just went there to check; noticed "lock closures" (thinking laterally) and came across next winter's list

'Leccy for:-
<ul type="square">
Godstow (good easy operation from Osney to the end)
Culham (pig to wind)
Mapledurham (much stronger than a pig to wind) this means pushbuttons from Sonning to Cleeve)
Marsh (another pig)
[/list]

Well, one can but hope. I shall be prepared for disappointments though

 

[Ramage]

Send an e-mail requesting to be added to the e-mail information group to Maria Da Silva.

maria.dasilva@environment-agency.gov.uk

And please be polite, she is a nice, helpful lady.

 

[Doolittle]

Nice one. Thanks for that contact. I hope she isn't deluged with requests.

 

[TrueBlue]

Many thanks for that, I had lost the oroginal details.

 

[apollo]

But why no Eleccy for Cookham, one of the busiest stretches of the river, not being funny - who gives a stuff about Godstow!

 

[Steve Clayton]

[ QUOTE ]
not being funny - who gives a stuff about Godstow!

[/ QUOTE ]
those of us (and I used to be one) that could get under Osney Bridge /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[TrueBlue]

\'Ere don\'t have a go at me \"mate\",

I'm only the *asterisk* messenger, just trying to keep you folks updated.

>>Sulk<<

Seriously I was told that it's all to do with the gates, and when they were last replaced. The "boater-proof" 'leccy systems apparently need steel gates on which to put their multiple sensors (unlike the older downstream one's which just have timers). Seems a reasonable explanation even if it's not true.

Come to think of it the mechanisms that have been replaced / modified are all of the round topped cabinets. Cookham's is an unique set of kit (which may predate those at Boulters, etc) and may need special consideration?

For all I know the powers that be may also want to incorporate the third pair of gates?

Or, or, - who knows. We cruise the whole jolly lot so am grateful for anything...

 

[Brayman]

Re: \'Ere don\'t have a go at me \"mate\",

In the days when I used to cruise out of hours (10 or more years ago) I was under the impression that Cookham electrics could be used, even the middle gates. I assume that is no longer the case from what I have been hearing and reading.

 

[apollo]

Re: \'Ere don\'t have a go at me \"mate\",

The boxes for the middle gates, are empty so whatever mechanism they had is long gone.
I dont remember there being out of hours in the past, there certainly isnt now.

 

[Doolittle]

[ QUOTE ]
Send an e-mail requesting to be added to the e-mail information group to Maria Da Silva.

maria.dasilva@environment-agency.gov.uk

And please be polite, she is a nice, helpful lady.

[/ QUOTE ]

Aye she is that alright...
[ QUOTE ]

Dear Mike,

Thank you for your email, we have added your details to our mailing list.

Many thanks
Maria

>>> "Mike Brown" <mike@****.com> 06/30/07 01:34pm >>>

Dear Maria

I understand that you can add people to your address book to be informed of the sate of the Thames flow and workings?

I would very much appreciate being added to this group please.

Many thanks

Mike


[/ QUOTE ]

 

[Ramage]

Always pleased to help a fellow Scouter! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[angelaquayle]

I'm from the Environment Agency and my team are responsible for the new website - I'd like to tell you what we're going to do about information on river conditions.

The river conditions can change rapidly and we haven't got a system set up yet where we can maintain an up to date list of locks/boards on the website. We do put the lock closures and event related information on as there is a reasonable lead in for them. I am working on plans to improve this so we can be more reactive - I agree the state of the river is useful/critical to all types of boaters.
In the meantime, we are putting a link from visitthames directly from the homepage and the boating page to the EA River Thames site. We are adding information at the top of the Lock Closures section which will highlight the information line number and also put an email address to contact if you want to be kept up to date of anything significant (Maria's email).
I hope to have something better in place by the end of the year but in the meantime, the information line and the email contact is the best we can do.

We have improved the site a lot but recognise that there is always more to be done. I'd welcome any other suggestions for improvements (and hope that I have an ounce of intelligence with which to interpret them!)

 

[Steve Clayton]

Angela,

may I be the first to welcome you to the banter and information exchange that takes place here. Your input is most welcome. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif


Steve
(ex-Thames boater)
www.seraph-sailing.com

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Welcome Angela. Expect to become the agony aunt to whom we trot out our troubles

Just some thoughts, do the weirs monitor flow at all, even that could be useful. Might also be an idea to have a feedback/problems bit where users can report back, even if simple things like "1.2m draught and grounded by The Brocas 200m down from the railway bridge" or "that wretched red narrowboat caled Scrounger has been at Tesco's for three weeks now"

Oh, and we'll gripe and whinge too