Osney Bridge headroom

Steve Grubb

Steve Grubb

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I know that it's published as 7'6" but as the river level can change by quite a bit is there anywhere to get a more accurate current level? I'm planning a trip where I'll pass under it (it'll be close!) next Thursday and returning Sunday or Monday. It would be comforting if there was a way to find out the actual clearance each day.
 
The worry about Osney Bridge is that if you go under it and the river rises you might not get back. You could be stuck there until next spring.
 
The short answer is to check with the duty keeper at Osney Lock before attempting to pass under the bridge. Bridge airdrafts are calculated on headwater (HW) levels that are logged 2 to 4 times daily. If there is no duty keeper, you can find the water level guage near the upstream/head lock chamber bullnoses or on a pile in the river bed close by and work it out for yourself. Osney is kept usually at about +2" above HW.

But, it remains the responsibility of the boat skipper to judge if it is safe to pass under any bridge and you risk being stuck upstream if the river level rises suddenly.
 
Beware also there is lowering then raising of the level -3" to +3" then back to normal as the lock fills. You can watch this if mooring close to the bridge and watching the level on the brick courses on the wall opposite.
I can remember the lock keeper bringing out a gauge whilst in the lock to measure a boat, and heard stories years ago of the lock keeper lowering the level by 6" for boats wanting to get through.
 
Interesting thoughts, thank you. I went under the bridge many years ago in a hire boat, but now I'm in my own I need to be really careful! We should be fine as long as there's no prolonged rain this weekend. I just wish there was a webcam pointing at the gauge so I could check!
 
ianc1200 said:
Beware also there is lowering then raising of the level -3" to +3" then back to normal as the lock fills. You can watch this if mooring close to the bridge and watching the level on the brick courses on the wall opposite.
I can remember the lock keeper bringing out a gauge whilst in the lock to measure a boat, and heard stories years ago of the lock keeper lowering the level by 6" for boats wanting to get through.
Click to expand...

That's interesting. When I asked him in August about lowering he said no way. But I was going to try to get a 7ft 6ins airdraft boat under Osney. Didn't try in the end. What I couldn't find out was at what bridge width the 7ft 6ins head room applied to. Anyone know?
 
Gauge level looks handy, I should be able to use that to see if the levels are rising quickly. Is there any way to work out the air draught from this?
 
Gaugemap's all in metric ...

0.000 = 0 ( HW , so bridge clearance is 7'6" )
0.025 = +1 ( bridge clearance is 7'5" )
0.050 = +2 ( bridge clearance is 7'4" )

And so on

Gaugemap updates every hour or so
 
Thanks Teddington_lock, that makes complete sense and is just what I needed. Fingers crossed for no significant rainfall for the next week or so!
 
Actually looking at the map link this might be below the lock but I think it is in fact the upstream level gauge .

Not certain though - no guarantee etc
 
Outinthedinghy said:
Actually looking at the map link this might be below the lock but I think it is in fact the upstream level gauge .

Not certain though - no guarantee etc
Click to expand...

It is the upstream gauge
https://www.riverlevels.uk/thames-botley-osney-lock#.V_ez1U1FDxk

Although I don't why everyone seems to prefer the third party websites rather than the official one to which the gauge is connected!

See here https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/station/7057?direction=u its also 2 hours more up to date :)
 
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