boatone
Well-known member
Following received from EA via email to TNUF:
Water resources
West Thames received average rainfall over winter as a whole, but we had a very dry March and April and this stopped any further groundwater recharge. As a result flows are dropping off earlier than normal (by about 3 months), particularly in the Cotswolds and minor aquifers such as the Thames gravels. June has also been a dry month and we could see more below normal (or notably low) river flows and groundwater levels going into summer especially if the current weather continues.
At present we have no plans to introduce restrictions to navigation and every effort is being made to maintain levels for through passage while, at the same time, allowing the water companies to abstract the water that they (and we as consumers) need, and conserving the river’s ecology. Be aware that with low flows and as a result low gradients on the river, water depths in the upper part of a reach close to the tail of the next lock upstream, may be less than usually experienced for the same head water at the lock below.
We will keep you informed if, or as, the situation develops.