Norfolk Broads Depth of Water

[Bridgeman]

Planning to take boat from Norwich in May via Oulton Broad and Lowestoft, anyone know what minimum depth of water is on this route, please? We will have draft of 4 feet. We came in via Great Yarmouth with no problem but fancy a change.
Thanks.
Neil

 

[tillergirl]

http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/boating/navigating-the-broads/water-depths

 

[wayneakp]

Broads

At 4 ft draught you should be generally fine on the southern side
We draw 4' 3" and haven't had too much of a problem. Be careful at the Haddiscoe end of the new cut though. We recently noticed there is a bar there now where the two rivers meet. Travelling the cut we had 1.5 m clear under us around mid tide. At the junction suddenly it went down to 0.2m so that would be a problem at low tide. Also the public moorings at Burgh castle don't have enough water for us.

Hope that helps

 

[LittleSister]

The part of the River Bure on your route and, especially, the River Yare, are plenty deep. It's only the other bits, and for some of the moorings at the sides of the rivers, you need to watch out.

 

[aquapower]

The part of the River Bure on your route and, especially, the River Yare, are plenty deep. It's only the other bits, and for some of the moorings at the sides of the rivers, you need to watch out.

What part of the Bure will you you use between Norwich and Oulton ?

Beware of the new cut, at both ends I would be carefull, only attempt at high tide, check lock openings as at the moment they are very limited due to flood damage during the winter. I have done this trip regularly and is ok as long as you time it right.

 

[LittleSister]

The part of the River Bure

What part of the Bure will you you use between Norwich and Oulton ?

Oops! My error. (I knew what I meant!) Waveney, of course.

 

[Greg2]

We also draw 4' 3" and have no problems at all. As Wayne says there is a bar at the St Olave's end of the New Cut but I think it has always been there. We never touch bottom, even at lowish water and previous problems with the cut at low water seem to have been resolved too as we have been through at lowish water okay. Only place we are a bit careful is on Surlingham Broad where we tend to stick to higher water but it is off the river so going there is optional.

Previous boats with 1m draft have had no problem on the northern rivers but we haven't taken the current boat there yet.....don't anticipate too many issues though.

In reality the bottom is soft mud/peat so with enough oomph it is possible to plough your way out of trouble but keep an eye on the raw water strainers.

 

[Bridgeman]

Thanks for all the advice,much appreciated and all taken on board. I looked at broads website but could not find any actual depths of water, or links to chart of area. Probably me not looking in right place. Is Lake Lothing any problem for water? I believe that the lock is only part time due to problems, but berths available at Oulton Broad while waiting.
Neil

 

[aquapower]

Thanks for all the advice,much appreciated and all taken on board. I looked at broads website but could not find any actual depths of water, or links to chart of area. Probably me not looking in right place. Is Lake Lothing any problem for water? I believe that the lock is only part time due to problems, but berths available at Oulton Broad while waiting.
Neil

Lake Lothing will have no depth issues for you, lock has to be opened manually until fixed, there's only limited times available due to getting people to work it.

 

[Bridgeman]

Thanks. Hopefully the will fit us in when time comes.
Neil

 

[Greg2]

Lake Lothing will have no depth issues for you, lock has to be opened manually until fixed, there's only limited times available due to getting people to work it.

Absolutely. Only thing to note is that if you keep to port as you go out you will have oodles of water. If you stray right over to the other side at low water you may start to run out

 

[Bridgeman]

Thanks for that I will make sure I do.
Neil