Category Archives: River Thames

Unstable Banks

The sun has been shining and river levels are back to normal.
Unstable Banks
I noticed for the first time today that fences have been erected near Abingdon Bridge with notices warning of unstable banks.
Unstable Banks
A hole has developed at one point, but the fence is quite extensive, and has reduced the amount of free mooring.

There was another hole in the tarmac path just the other side of the bridge last spring, which got repaired, and there is still the hole in St Helen’s Wharf awaiting repairs.
Unstable Banks
On this old postcard (I have a copy but not the copyright) the River Thames looks barely navigable near Abingdon Lock with all the small islands and the moldering banks. If there were nobody to maintain the river I guess it might revert to such a state within a couple of generations.

Boat left high and dry

Boat left high and dry
The flood water of the River Thames has receded, and one boat has been left high and dry near Abingdon Lock.
Boat left high and dry
A tree has also become lodged on the top end of Nags Head island. Fields are still damp and muddy and the weekly Parkrun has been cancelled again this week. I will get a good picture when it resumes as there often lots of runners and it is an impressive sight.

River Thames still rising as night falls

River Thames continues to rise
The River Thames continues to rise across the floodplain opposite Abingdon, and some outposts like the Marina carpark in Abingdon are flooded.
River Thames continues to rise
There are a lot of boats moored on what is normally the bank of the River Thames, hopefully secure.
River Thames continues to rise
Near Abingdon Bridge, an Abingdon scaffolding company was helping to secure boats as night approached.
River Thames continues to rise
(Update Sunday morning. The water has risen another few inches overnight as water makes its way downsteam. People are still living on some of the boats.
River Thames continues to rise
Sunday began sunny after some overnight rain – thankfully it was less severe than forecasts were predicting.)