Norfolk Broads and Rivers

[Tim_Bennett]

I am trying to ascertain the minimum depth of water in the 'navigable' rivers and broads of Norfolk from Breydon Water to Norwich and Lowestoft. I have emailed the Broads Authority on several occasions but never get a reply. Can anyone help?

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[Born_Free]

I've visited the Broads many times in my Fairey Fisherman and never encountered any draft problems, but then she only draws about 0.7M. There are a few shallow areas off the main river flows on the smaller broads. From memory I don't think Ive seen much less than around 1.8M on the echo sounder, except on the upper reaches of the northern broads. The Broads Authority probably won't give you a definitive answer, as they wouldn't want to be responsible if you grounded.
Airdraft can be a problem on some parts, but there is an excellent Broads map/chart available, it's just called "The Broads", and is published bt GEO Projects in conjunction with the Broads Authority. GEO are in Reading, and their tel no is 0118 939 3567.
Hope this helps you.

<hr width=100% size=1>I have nothing to declare, except my genius
(Sorry Oscar)

 

[waterbuffalo]

Many years ago the River Waveney carried about 8ft to Oulton Dyke up to the Broad. the central channels on Oulton Broad were about 6ft at low tide, but stray out of the channels and the water shallows rapidly.
The Yare up to Norwich was used by small coasters so depth was never a problem.
Be aware that the streams in the rivers can run surprisingly hard, especially near Breydon Water. It was recomended that Breydon Water was only transitted at LW slack.

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[muchy_]

Depth in rivers and main channels is around 5 to 6 feet. If you wander off the beaten track and try going to far up river then it can get down to around 3 feet. But if you stick to the main drags then 5 to 6 is the norm.
I have noticed some shallow bars crossing the river once you get right up north where the depth was showing as 2 feet so I must have been ploughing the river bed up a bit.

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[Bejasus]

Tim, call 01603 625091, and they should be able to advise accordingly.

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[Tim_Bennett]

Thanks all. Very useful information.

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