Teddington to Richmond

Actionmat

Actionmat

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Why is the rise and fall of the thames so extreme on that stretch of the river? The White cross looked in danger of flooding yesterday and today it's a trickle in a mud field, with at least one boat with its out drives stuck. It's not a whinge, I just wonder why it's not kept in check before it floods the towpath or drops too low to be navigated?
 
Actionmat said:
Why is the rise and fall of the thames so extreme on that stretch of the river? The White cross looked in danger of flooding yesterday and today it's a trickle in a mud field, with at least one boat with its out drives stuck. It's not a whinge, I just wonder why it's not kept in check before it floods the towpath or drops too low to be navigated?
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Isn't it the season when Richmond leaves the barrier up all the time? (Can't remember the correct term(s) )
 
Yes, it is the annual draw off.

NOTICE TO MARINERS M31 of 2013
RICHMOND LOCK AND WEIR
DRAW-OFF 2013
Weirs open 2nd November - 24th November
This Notice is also promulgated as Notice to Mariners U13 of 2013.
In order to carry out essential maintenance works on the lock, weirs and sluices and to carry out a riverbed inspection, it will be necessary to lift the weirs at Richmond for a period of 3 weeks. This will allow the river between Richmond Lock and Teddington Lock to drain down at low water on each tide.
The Draw-Off period will commence at approximately 1142 on Saturday 2nd November and will complete at approximately 2037 on Sunday 24th November 2013
During this period river users are reminded that, for the duration of the work, the river will NOT be maintained at the nominal level of 1.72cm above Ordnance Datum Newlyn and that the river bed can be expected to be exposed.
Owners of boats and structures usually moored between Richmond Lock and Teddington Lock should take action in good time, either to move their boats to more suitable moorings or to assure them that the boat is capable of taking the ground over the low waters. Short term moorings are of only limited availability in the upper district; any vessel owners not taking early action are likely to have difficulty in finding suitable moorings.
River works licence holders and riparian landowners are reminded that any interference with the foreshore such as dredging, excavating or disturbing the river bed requires a licence from the Port of London Authority. Recent environmental legislation provides for very high levels of fines when licensing requirements are not strictly adhered to.
Persons navigating through the weirs and upstream of Richmond Lock must do so with great care and should have regard to people working in and around the Lock and weirs and be aware that weirs may be raised and lowered at various times for maintenance purposes. In addition boat owners are reminded to watch their speed and wash when making passage as boats and structures may be grounding during low water.
 
Cheers, I didn't know it was partly to inspect the river bed. It still goes up and down like a yo yo for the rest of the year though, not just to the steps of the white cross but right into Old Deer Park. I just wonder why it goes so high.
 
Actionmat said:
Cheers, I didn't know it was partly to inspect the river bed. It still goes up and down like a yo yo for the rest of the year though, not just to the steps of the white cross but right into Old Deer Park. I just wonder why it goes so high.
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Well, I'm only a user of the ditchy bit so don't have to deal with huge variations in level. But downstream of Tedders the river is semi tidal (Richmond full tidal) so that part is subject to Springs - high levels and Neaps - low levels.
If there's a lorra water coming down from the ditchy bit, 'cos it's been raining everywhere, then that will accentuate the high water levels on Spring tides.

On some occasions the sea water (not) will overtop Teddington Lock and the flow reverses in the next reach.

(I am indebted to Teddington-underscore-Lock for this information...)

Whoops bold text above should read Spring tides higher and lower levels than normal and Neaps less variation between high and low waters...
 
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Indeed it is the draw off. Not too low this year, other years you can walk to eel pie. I will post some pix in morn.

It always entertains me listening and watching folk at the swan wondering why the garden has disappeared.

The last couple of weeks have had a fair few cars flood by the Barney. I ran four days in a row and saw 6 in total flooded.
 
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