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Navigation Closure beginning 6 July 2026 at 08:00 at Lock 3, Oxclose Lock.
This is a live notice. Please check the Canal & River Trust website for the latest information. View on Canal & River Trust website.
| Type | Navigation Closure |
| Start Date | 6 July 2026 at 08:00 |
| End Date | Ongoing |
| Start Location | Lock 3, Oxclose Lock |
| Ends Location | Lock 3, Oxclose Lock |
Our Engineers are still carrying out detailed inspections and investigations into the cause of the water loss at Oxclose Lock. The lock shall remain closed and we will update the notice next Friday with any further information that we may obtain on the progression of the investigation to the lock chamber.
Water levels on the Ripon Canal at Lock 3 Oxclose have improved following recent rainfall and the installation of emergency back-pumping equipment to restore operational levels.
However, further investigations have identified additional leakage through the lock chamber at Oxclose Lock. As a result, the lock will remain closed while our engineers carry out detailed inspections and investigations into the recent water loss.
We appreciate your patience and understanding while this work is undertaken. We will provide an update on Friday 28th August.
Due to the prolonged period of drought currently being experienced, water levels within the canal at Oxclose have declined significantly over the past week. As a result, water levels are now too low for the safe operation of the lock, and Oxclose Lock will remain closed to all vessel movements until further notice.
We are continuing to monitor water levels closely, as these will determine whether future bookings and passages can proceed. As of 17 August, water levels are exceptionally low and continue to decrease daily.
Consequently, we are unable to accept bookings or facilitate passage through the lock at this time.
The team will continue to monitor the situation closely and will update this notice should water levels improve sufficiently to allow the lock to reopen and bookings to resume. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this period.
In this period of drought that we are experiencing, this is a very challenging time for the Canal and River Trust and skippers of crafts alike, we understand the frustrations that come with times like this.
We are continuing to monitor the water levels as this dictates whether bookings are possible or not to go ahead. Today (14th August) the water levels are exceedingly low and are decreasing with every day. So at this time, bookings are not possible to be taken and passage is not available. It is potentially the situation for the foreseeable 2-3 weeks ahead. The team will continue to closely monitor the water levels and we will update the notice should improvements to the water levels occur.
Due to continued low water levels within the River Skell and to assist with water management on the Ripon Canal, passage through Oxclose Lock (Lock 3) will be restricted to Craft returning to their home moorings from Mon 10th August. Assisted Passage Arrangements
Essential Passage Criteria Passage will normally only be provided for:
These restrictions will remain in place until water levels in the River Skell recover. Further updates will be issued as conditions change.
Extra information: From the 3rd August, we have noticed that it is becoming harder to maintain the water levels in this section, the feeds that the local team are putting on is not enough to maintain the water levels as well as we would have hoped. Bookings that are currently on for today will be honoured. We are still taking bookings, but these will be dependant on the water levels on a day to day basis as to whether they will be able to be carried out due to water availability at that point in time. The local team will communicate with boaters/skippers about their bookings and will keep them updated and are doing the best we can. We ask when booking days, there may have to be a bit of flexibilty and to be accepting that it may be the chosen day or a couple of days later, dependant on water levels and navigation capability that the canal gives us.
Oxclose Lock (Lock 3) – Assisted Passage Restrictions from 6th July 2026 Waterway: Ripon Canal Period: 6th July 2026 ongoing Reason: Low water levels Due to low water levels and to assist with water management on the Ripon Canal, passage through Oxclose Lock (Lock 3) is restricted to essential journeys only. Assisted Passage Arrangements
Oxclose Lock (Lock 3) – Assisted Passage Restrictions from 6th July 2026 Waterway: Ripon Canal Period: 6th July 2026 ongoing Reason: Low water levels Due to low water levels and to assist with water management on the Ripon Canal, passage through Oxclose Lock (Lock 3) is restricted to essential journeys only. Assisted Passage Arrangements
Essential Passage Criteria Passage will normally only be provided for:
Boaters are encouraged to share locks wherever possible to help conserve water resources. These restrictions will remain in place until water levels in the River Skell recover. Further updates will be issued as conditions change.