Category Archives: River Thames

Water everywhere and the reservoirs are not full yet

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The level of the River Thames has continued to rise across the floodplain near Abingdon.

Today the weather was brighter with some sun and clear reflections. I was among the ‘flood tourists’ out with phone cameras.

The Thames Valley Croquet Club were able to play on the raised part of their green above the flooded area of Hales Meadow.

The end of Nags Head Island was awash.

Rye Farm Meadow was mostly underwater. At Abingdon Weir, the lock keeper has been busy – not only with his usual duties of flood control but also putting out warning signs to show that the weir path has had to close again.

These snowdrops are just above water.

The Thames Water performance web site says that Farmoor Reservoir was 80% full at the end of January – below the average for that time of year. It looks like the rain is needed.

River levels remain high on the River Thames around Abingdon

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River levels on the Thames around Abingdon remain high this week, with flooding of low-lying land.

In places, flooding appears to be coming up from below, with a high water table leaving the ground saturated even where the river has not visibly spilled over.

While levels are beginning to fall, the ground is now saturated, and levels could rise again if further heavy rainfall arrives upstream.

The weir gates now appear to be fully open. This may explain why the weir walk was closed in advance as a safety precaution. The closure removes a well-used circular route.

Abingdon Weir Walkway Warnings

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Water Water
The Environment Agency said in early October that the weir walkway will remain open until river flows increase, but the supporting structure still needs refurbishment to reach full strength. Because of this, the walkway remains at risk of temporary closure during high flows or when construction work begins.
Water Water
Today there are multiple signs warning that the weir walkway is closed, with river levels now at their highest since that announcement was made.
Water Water
And when you get close the weir walkway is closed.

For anyone who will miss seeing the rush of water over the weir, here is a short video taken a couple of days ago.

News from Nags Head Island

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I was walking around Nags Head Island when somebody asked whether I had seen the otter. He said one visits there.

What I did see was a sunken boat called Wreckless, with a notice fixed to the cabin that began: ‘NOTICE TO REMOVE SUNK, STRANDED OR ABANDONED VESSEL.’

Beneath Abingdon Bridge the water was swirling – dull brown with carried mud. The river is running higher than yesterday and has spilled over the banks in places.

I was also told this evening that Abingdon Bridge is to close for a few days in March. For some, that will mean finding another way to work at Culham that doesn’t involve driving across the bridge. The structure has already seen long restrictions: first with a lane closed during the Covid shutdown, and later when strengthening work was carried out on one of the arches. This time, I understand, inspection work is planned for the other arches.