Thames Stream Warnings

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pmd

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Having scoured through the EA web site to try and find out the quick dial number for the red / yellow board warnings I have had to give up in sheer frustration. Their site constantly refers to "use the quick dial number", but can you find it on the web!!! I then phoned them and they wouldn't give any information on the Thames until I gave them a post code. I tried to explain that the River Thames (I even had to spell that for the person on the phone, they thought it was the Themes) does not have a post code. In that case he said "we can't help you!!!" Can any one provide me with the quick dial number please. I know it starts 0845 988 1188, then option 1 then the required quickdial number ??????
 
Found this in about 10 seconds, if it's what you are after?

Thames region also has a recorded information line which has been incorporated into the Environment Agency's Floodline system. Please telephone 0845 988 1188 and when prompted press 1 on your telephone key pad followed by one of the following quick dial numbers:-

011131 for river conditions
011132 for river works and lock closures
011133 for river events

This information line continues to give details of any river condition warnings in force, lock closures, forthcoming events and special navigation information for the River Thames upstream of Teddington
 
Thanks for that, it's exactly what I was after. I am intrigued where / how you found it so quick. Was it on the EA web site, and of so where. Thanks again
 
Although BrendanS' info is correct, you will do better keeping an eye on the River Conditions thread at the head of this Thames Forum. You can also select it as a favourite topic and have copies of all posts to that thread emailed to your mobile if you set it up.

This thread is permanently live and added to by anyone on the forum with pertinent info at times of heavy rain and strong stream conditions

The EA info line is woefully out of date most of the time and is only updated when conditions change, rather than on a regular basis.

Can I suggest that any forumites who belong to yacht clubs get them to add the forum and River conditions thread to their websites and urge their members to join up?
 
Agree with B1; quite often I find that the last update is on Thursday afternoon, and not updated until the following Tuesday.

Not a whole lot of use for weekend boaters.

But then the Thames is such a <span style="color:blue">minuscule</span> part of the EA.

In the end I ring up the nav: office or a known friendly lockkeeper. I don't like doing that, as I feel they've better things to do, but they are always VERY friendly and helpful.

Can't say the temporaries are always so helpful....
 
Information required is on the back of the red cards handed out by lock staff. I ring the waterways office's to speak to the duty waterways officer they claim to have the big picture. I have been tempted to try the so called flood room as I understand from resent media articals that they now control the weirs
 
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I have been tempted to try the so called flood room as I understand from resent media articals that they now control the weirs

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think thats true.

I have tried several times to get a suitably qualified EA person to come on here and explain how the weirs are managed, so far without success.

However, here is my take on it, gleaned from various converstaions with lockkeepers.......

The lockkeepers are charged with maintaining their 'level' (the one upstream of the lock) within certain limits around a median level. For discussion, lets say this might be between -3 and +6 inches. They adjust by opening and closing gates/radials and notfy adjacent lockkeepers of their actions.

There does appear to be a central telemetry control room (Reading?) where levels are monitored and instructions passed to lockkeepers when necessary (during night hours?)

Once all the gates/radials are open there appears to be sod all anyone can do to control the flow until it calms down again and normal service can be resumed.

All the above makes sense (at least to me) but I dont know to what extent other considerations might influence particular stretches at particular times - eg Henley Regatta or maybe industrial/water comapny extaction issues etc etc.

Perhaps someone may have more specific info ?
 
The full details (ie including the quick dial) are on the back of the annual licences, in the Thames Users Guide (p4), on the EA website web page on the visitthames website web page . We have been trying to get the people who answer the 'Floodline' number to understand that boating customers can't give a postcode as it's not relevant (which it is for all the other customers they are dealing with) and they are making some changes and training their staff. It was meant to have happened around now but I expect the flooding situation across the country may have delayed this work. It will still happen and will mean if you can't find the info through the routes above, they will be able to help you. We will also have the river conditions info on line in October- something to bookmark.
 
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I have been tempted to try the so called flood room as I understand from resent media articles that they now control the weirs

[/ QUOTE ]

That misunderstanding may have originated here from a member stated to be "East Coast" based, who said the Thames weirs were "automated". Methinks his experience was from the Nene where a section around Northampton is automated - or more likely remote controlled.

As an aside the rest of the guillotine locks are mostly (except for six) electrically operated, but AFAIK aren't controlled remotely (Please correct me if I'm wrong..).

I point this out as it may be that the idea of SWAT teams doing the same on the Thames "won't work". The Nene's flood control uses the locks all of which are the same size and are a known quantity. They are used as additional weirs in times of flood and I guess don't require local knowledge to manage.

Back to the plot

[ QUOTE ]
Perhaps someone may have more specific info ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Through the telemetry system Control views the flow and rings up the keeper / duty relief <span style="color:blue"> at any time of the day or night</span> who dons his storm gear and adjusts the flow to the agreed headwater level.

Now this requires a considerable amount of local knowledge.
<span style="color:blue"> Each lock is different, each weir is "even more different"</span>. Whereas locks differ in depth, length and breadth, weirs are much more complex; some are short and stubby (e..g. Marsh), some strung out (e.g. Marlow, Chertsey), some have multiple separated sets of sluices (Hurley).
Some are fully electrified, some part electrified, some mechanical.
There are other considerations to be applied as well. So it's not a matter of a.n.o going to do a bit of winding, I think it needs detailed local knowledge (that's why a "resident" is needed).
Sorry, tub thumping - keep our keepers.

Although there is a telemetry system, the keeper has to take manual "readings" on a regular basis ?to check the system? the implication is that it is not 100% reliable.

As to other customers - water companies - they can't / wont draw off when there are strong flows, so that has to be accommodated, but when the river is running nicely they suck it dry (!), and the waters have to be held back.

I've heard rumours that levels have been manipulated to float large stuck vessels or lowered to increase bridge clearance.

So I agree with you B1, just added a few thoughts of my own.

The whole process is a lot more complicated than "we" at first imagine.

I wonder if EA management really understands that, or whether filters have been operated as they have with the lock houses issue, in order to make the decisions look simple?
 
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length and breadth, weirs are much more complex; some are short and stubby (e..g. Marsh), some strung out (e.g. Marlow, Chertsey), some have multiple separated sets of sluices
>>>

Some are also a sod of a long walk from the keeper's house eg Sunbury.

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I've heard rumours that levels have been manipulated to float large stuck vessels or lowered to increase bridge clearance.
>>>

I beleive that has been officially denied several times, so it must be true:-)
 
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