Information for boaters on the River Great Ouse
River Great Ouse: bridge heights, locks, overhead power lines and facilities.
The River Great Ouse and its tributaries, the Rivers Cam, Lark, Little Ouse, and Wissey provide approximately 255 kilometres of navigable waterway.
Visit the Inland Waterways Association website to see the .
Read the Anglian navigation byelaws before using the waterway.
River Great Ouse bridge heights
On a river or waterway it is the person in charge of the boat (boat master) responsibility to ensure the boat can pass safely through the bridge. Sometimes, for example with bridge arches the clearance may be uneven and greater at some points across the channel than others. We usually state typical heights of the arches of bridges. These heights are usually the ones with the greatest clearance but other parts of the bridge may have much lower clearance.
Usually headroom, the space between the roof of the bridge and the rivers surface, is limited gauge boards are sometimes present. Theses boards are found up and down the stream of the bridge to show the space available, these should be used. The boat master should know if the height of their boat is above the waterline. Remember to measure this to the boats highest point which may include; masts, chimneys or aerials for example.
Useful aids such as 鈥榯ell tales鈥 can also be purchased from chandlers or boat shops. These are an extendable, usually flexible pole that can be mounted to the bow and furthest forward point of a boat. You also need to set the highest point of the boat with a marker at the tip. This type of device can then give a useful indication to the boat master under any low structures over the river if their boat will fit beneath. You must approach with extreme caution and dead slow taking account of any flow that may be naturally present in the waterway for this to work. Such aids may not offer much assistance if approaching low bridges or structures from the upstream side under any degree of river flow. It is essential for safety that boat masters are satisfied there are no headroom issues. Especially if on the river in any heightened level or flow conditions such as after periods of rainfall.
Water levels especially on rivers when compared to canals do go up and down, sometimes significantly. The information provided on bridge heights is provided as an indicative guide only and available headroom may be significantly less or sometimes more than what is stated. It is the boat masters responsibility to ensure the safety of their boat and those on board at all times. Information provided is intended as guidance and should be read in conjunction with the gov.uk Terms and Conditions information.
Bedford Ouse: Bedford to Hermitage
| Location | Headway (metres) | Headway (feet) |
|---|---|---|
| Kempston Mill Vehicular Track Footbridge | Awaiting | Data |
| Queens Park Footbridge | Awaiting | Data |
| Mainline Railway Bridge | Awaiting | Data |
| Mainline Railway Bridge II | Awaiting | Data |
| Footbridge between railways bridges | Awaiting | Data |
| Branch Line Railway Bridge | Awaiting | Data |
| Prebend Street Road Bridge | Awaiting | Data |
| Charter Walk / St Mary鈥檚 Embankment Footbridge | 3.0 | 9鈥9鈥 |
| St Mary鈥檚 Street Road Bridge | Awaiting | Data |
| Suspension Bridge Footbridge | Awaiting | Data |
| Butterfly or Renaissance Footbridge | Awaiting | Data |
| Bedford Lock Footbridge | 2.38 | 7鈥9鈥 |
| Engineers Footbridge | 2.1 | 7鈥0鈥 |
| Road Bridge | 2.7 | 8鈥10鈥 |
| Footbridge | 2.9 | 9鈥6鈥 |
| Old Railway Footbridge | 2.3 | 7鈥6鈥 |
| Road and Pipe Bridge | 2.7 | 8鈥10鈥 |
| Sewage Works Bridge | 2.6 | 8鈥8鈥 |
| Railway Bridge | 2.6 | 8鈥8鈥 |
| A421 Road Bridge | 6.2 | 20鈥4鈥 |
| Footbridge | 4.4 | 14鈥5鈥 |
| Road Bridge (GT Barford) | 3.0 | 9鈥9鈥 |
| Footbridge | 4.5 | 14鈥9鈥 |
| Tempsford Old Road Bridge | 3.1 | 10鈥1鈥 |
| Tempsford New Road Bridge | 3.7 | 12鈥 |
| A428 Road Bridge | 6.1 | 20鈥 |
| Eaton Socon Lock Footbridge | 2.7 | 9鈥 |
| St Neots Town Bridge | 2.8 | 9鈥2鈥 |
| St Neots Paper Mill Bridge (B1041 Road Bridge) | 2.9 | 9鈥5鈥 |
| Offord Lock Bridge | 2.5 | 8鈥1鈥 |
| Railway Bridge | 4.8 | 15鈥9鈥 |
| A14 Road Bridge | 5.5 | 18鈥 |
| Huntingdon Bridge | 3.4 | 11鈥2鈥 |
| Hemingford Lock Bridge | 2.7 | 8鈥10鈥 |
| St Ives Town Bridge | 2.7 | 8鈥10鈥 |
| A1096 Road Bridge | 4.1 | 13鈥5鈥 |
| Rail Bridge | 3.8 | 12鈥5鈥 |
| Hermitage Lock | 3.4 | 11鈥1鈥 |
Old West: Popes Corner to Hermitage Lock
| Location | Headway (metres) | Headway (feet) |
|---|---|---|
| Railway Bridge | 3.6 | 11鈥9鈥 |
| Wicken Road Bridge | 3.2 | 10鈥6鈥 |
| Green End Road Bridge | 3.5 | 11鈥5鈥 |
| Lazy Otter Road Bridge | 3.2 | 10鈥6鈥 |
| Cambridge A10 Bridge | 3 | 9鈥10鈥 |
| Twentypence Road Bridge | 3.3 | 10鈥8鈥 |
| Aldreth High Bridge | 4 | 13鈥1鈥 |
| Willingham Flat Bridge | 3 | 9鈥10鈥 |
| Hermitage Lock Road Bridge | 3.4 | 11鈥1鈥 |
Ely Ouse
| Location | Headway (metres) | Headway (feet) |
|---|---|---|
| Ten Mile Rail Bridge | 4 | 13鈥1鈥 |
| Hilgay Road Bridge | 4 | 13鈥1鈥 |
| Littleport A10 Road Bridge | 3.4 | 11鈥1鈥 |
| Sandhills Road Bridge | 3.45 | 11鈥3鈥 |
| Queen Adelaide Road Bridge | 3.16 | 10鈥4鈥 |
| Queen Adelaide Rail Bridge | - | - |
| Potters Road Bridge | 3.4 | 11鈥1鈥 |
| Potters Foot Bridge | 3.5 | 11鈥4鈥 |
| Railway Bridge d\s of Ely, Willow Walk | 3.1 | 10鈥1鈥 |
| Loveys Road Bridge | 3.25 | 10鈥8鈥 |
| Railway Bridge u\s at Ely | 3.06 | 10鈥 |
| Ely High Bridge | 3.19 | 10鈥5鈥 |
| Newmarket Railway Bridge | 3.15 | 10鈥4鈥 |
River Cam: Popes Corner to Jesus Lock
| Location | Headway (metres) | Headway (feet) |
|---|---|---|
| Dimmocks Cote Road Bridge | 3.7 | 12鈥1鈥 |
| Dimmocks Cote Road Bridge | 3.1 | 10鈥2鈥 |
| Clayhithe Road Bridge | 3.4 | 11鈥1鈥 |
| Baitsbite Lock | 3 | 9鈥10鈥 |
| A14 Road bridge | 4.9 | 16鈥 |
| Stourbridge Footbridge | 3.2 | 10鈥6鈥 |
| Elizabeth Road Bridge | 4.9 | 16鈥 |
| Midsummer Common Foot Bridges x2 | 3 | 9鈥10鈥 |
| Victoria Road Bridge | 3.2 | 10鈥6鈥 |
| Jesus Lock | 4 | 13鈥1鈥 |
The Lodes
| Location | Headway (metres) | Headway (feet) |
|---|---|---|
| Upware Lock and Road Bridge, Reach Lode | 2.7 | 8鈥10鈥 |
| Wicken Lode Foot Bridge | 2.7 | 8鈥10鈥 |
| High Bridge, Burwell Lode | 2.7 | 8鈥10鈥 |
| The Anchor Road bridge, Burwell | 2.5 | 8鈥2鈥 |
River Lark: Ely Ouse to Judes Ferry
| Location | Headway (metres) | Headway (feet) |
|---|---|---|
| Branch Bridge | 3.4 | 11鈥1鈥 |
| Railway Bridge, Prickwillow | 2.6 | 8鈥6鈥 |
| Prickwillow Road Bridge | 2.6 | 8鈥6鈥 |
| Isleham Lock | 2.65 | 8鈥69鈥 |
| Judes Ferry | 3.2 | 10鈥6鈥 |
Little Ouse: Ely Ouse to Brandon
| Location | Headway (metres) | Headway (feet) |
|---|---|---|
| Brandon Creek A10 Road Bridge | 3.1 | 10鈥2鈥 |
| Little Ouse Village Road Bridge | 3.1 | 10鈥2鈥 |
| Redmere Farm Road Bridge | 3 | 9鈥10鈥 |
| Hockwold Sluice | 3 | 9鈥10鈥 |
| Railway Bridge d\s Brandon | 2.7 | 8鈥10鈥 |
| Brandon Lock | 2 | 6鈥6鈥 |
River Wissey: Ely Ouse to Whittington
| Location | Headway (metres) | Headway (feet) |
|---|---|---|
| Railway Bridge | 2.7 | 8鈥10鈥 |
| Hilgay A10 Road Bridge | 2.6 | 8鈥6鈥 |
| Hilgay Old Road Bridge | 2.6 | 8鈥6鈥 |
| Wissington Foot Bridge | 3 | 9鈥10鈥 |
| Wissington Beet Factory Pipe Bridge | 3.2 | 10鈥6鈥 |
| Wissington Beet Factory Old Road Bridge | 3.5 | 11鈥5鈥 |
| Wissington Beet Factory New Road Bridge | 4 | 13鈥1鈥 |
| Stoke Ferry Sluice | 3 | 9鈥10鈥 |
| Stoke Ferry Road Bridge | 2.5 | 8鈥2鈥 |
| Whittington Road Bridge | 2.9 | 9鈥6鈥 |
River Great Ouse locks
There are 22 locks on the River Great Ouse and its tributaries.
Lock dimensions
| Name | Lock length (metres) | Lock length (feet) | Lock width (metres) | Lock width (feet) | Lock depth (metres) | Lock depth (feet) | Lock headroom (metres) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford lock | 29.7 | 97鈥 5鈥 | 3.3 | 10鈥 9鈥 | 1.1 | 3鈥 7鈥 | 2.05 |
| Cardington lock | 28.5 | 93鈥 6鈥 | 3.11 | 10鈥 1鈥 | 1.15 | 3鈥 9鈥 | 2.75 |
| Castle Mills lock | 29.5 | 96鈥 9鈥 | 4 | 13鈥 1鈥 | 1.2 | 3鈥 11鈥 | 4.3 |
| Willington lock | 29.5 | 96鈥 9 | 4 | 13鈥 9鈥 | 1.3 | 4鈥 3鈥 | - |
| Great Barford lock | 29.5 | 96鈥9鈥 | 4 | 13鈥 1鈥 | 1.2 | 3鈥 11鈥 | 4.55 |
| Roxton lock | 26 | 85鈥 4鈥 | 4 | 13鈥1鈥 | 1.15 | 3鈥 9鈥 | 2.75 |
| Eaton Socon lock | 31.5 | 103鈥 4鈥 | 3.3 | 10鈥 9鈥 | 1.6 | 5鈥 2鈥 | 2.7 |
| St Neots lock | 32.9 | 177鈥 1鈥 | 3.3 | 14鈥 1鈥 | 1.05 | 3鈥 11鈥 | 3.2 |
| Offord lock | 30.5 | 100鈥 | 3.4 | 11鈥 1鈥 | 1.2 | 3鈥 11鈥 | 2.5 |
| Brampton lock | 31.7 | 104鈥 | 3.4 | 11鈥 1鈥 | 1.45 | 4鈥 9鈥 | 2.8 |
| Godmanchester lock | 30.5 | 100鈥 | 4 | 13鈥1鈥 | 1.1 | 3鈥 5鈥 | 2.75 |
| Houghton Lock | 37.5 | 90鈥 3鈥 | 3.65 | 11鈥 11鈥 | 1.5 | 4鈥 11鈥 | 2.75 |
| Hemingford lock | 28 | 91鈥 10鈥 | 3.85 | 12鈥 7鈥 | 1.5 | 4鈥 11鈥 | - |
| St Ives lock | 31.3 | 102鈥8鈥 | 3.35 | 10鈥 11鈥 | 1.5 | 4鈥 11鈥 | - |
| Brownshill lock | 30 | 98鈥 | 4 | 13鈥 1鈥 | 1.5 | 4鈥 11鈥 | 3 |
| Hermitage lock | 30.5 | 100鈥 | 4 | 13鈥1鈥 | 1.5 | 4鈥 11鈥 | 2.75 |
| Bottisham lock | 29.8 | 97鈥 7鈥 | 4.5 | 14鈥 7鈥 | 1.5 | 4鈥 11鈥 | - |
| Upware lock | 18.7 | 61鈥 3鈥 | 4.3 | 14鈥 1鈥 | 1.3 | 4鈥 2鈥 | - |
| Isleham lock | 26.8 | 87鈥9鈥 | 4.55 | 14鈥 9鈥 | 1 | 3鈥 2鈥 | - |
| Brandon lock | 12.4 | 40鈥 6鈥 | 3.7 | 12鈥 1鈥 | 1.4 | 4鈥 5鈥 | - |
| Denver lock | 39.5 | 96鈥 7鈥 | 5.4 | 17鈥 7鈥 | 2.04 | 6鈥 6鈥 | - |
| Relief channel lock | 30 | 98鈥 4鈥 | 4.6 | 15鈥 | 2 | 6鈥 5鈥 | 2.75 |
| Jesus lock* | 32 | 104鈥 9鈥 | 3 | 9鈥 8鈥 | 1.4 | 4鈥 5鈥 | - |
| Baits bite lock* | 32 | 104鈥9鈥 | 4.3 | 14鈥 1鈥 | 1.2 | 3鈥 9鈥 | - |
Distances between locks
| Name | Distance to next lock downstream (kilometres) | Distance to next lock downstream (miles) | Cruising time to next lock downstream (minutes) | Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford lock | 5 | 3.1 | 45 | - |
| Cardington lock | 2 | 1.24 | 30 | - |
| Castle Mills lock | 4.5 | 2.79 | 40 | - |
| Willington lock | 1.5 | 0.93 | 25 | - |
| Great Barford lock | 3 | 1.86 | 35 | water tap |
| Roxton lock | 8 | 4.97 | 1hr 30 | - |
| Eaton Socon lock | 3.2 | 1.99 | 40 | - |
| St Neots lock | 6.5 | 4.04 | 1hr | - |
| Offord lock | 3 | 1.86 | 35 | refuse disposal |
| Brampton lock | 2 | 1.24 | 30 | - |
| Godmanchester lock | 6 | 3.73 | 50 | - |
| Houghton Lock | 2.5 | 1.75 | 30 | - |
| Hemingford lock | 3 | 1.86 | 35 | - |
| St Ives lock | 8 | 4.97 | 1hr 30 | refuse disposal |
| Brownshill lock | 3.5 | 2.17 | 40 | - |
| Hermitage lock | 23 | 14.29 | 4hr 10 | refuse disposal, toilets, showers, water tap, lock keeper |
| Bottisham lock | 15 | 9.32 | 1hr 30 | - |
| Upware lock | 4.6 | 2.86 | 60 | - |
| Isleham lock | 16 | 9.94 | 2hr 30 | - |
| Brandon lock | 22 | 13.67 | 4hr | - |
| Denver lock and Complex | 18 | 11.18 | 4hr | pump out, refuse disposal, Elsan disposal, water tap, toilets, slipway, lock keeper |
| Jesus lock* | 25 | 15.53 | 3hr | pump out, refuse disposal, water tap |
| Baits bite lock* | 21 | 13.05 | 2hr 15 | - |
*Jesus lock and Baits bite lock are managed by .
Speed limits
All speed limits are indicated on the River Great Ouse and its tributaries by signage.
Speed limits on the Great Ouse vary between 4 miles per hour (6.4 kilometres per hour) to 7 miles per hour (11.2 kilometres per hour ). On the tidal section of the river the speed limit is 15 miles per hour (24.1 kilometres per hour).
There are a number of speed indication systems on the Ely Ouse and Old West River to make the river safer. 2 transit posts have been placed at certain points on the riverbank and serve as speed markers. When travelling between the 2 posts it should take at least 30 seconds or longer. If it takes less time than this then you鈥檙e speeding and must slow down.
Speeding can cause unnecessary wash, erosion and harm wildlife as well as damage to other boats and the speeding boats themselves. We operate regular patrols and undertake speed monitoring activities and enforcement on the rivers where necessary. We do this to encourage compliance and make the river safer and more pleasurable for all river users.
Overhead power lines
There are headroom restrictions from overhead power lines on the River Great Ouse.
Because river levels change and overhead power line heights vary, we cannot provide the heights of power lines.
Some network operators specify exclusion zones around power lines, depending on the voltage being transmitted. This is to prevent electricity arcing or jumping from a transmitting wire to a boat mast, for example.
If your vessel has raised masts, radio aerials or booms you should contact the before using the waterway.
For more safety advice see the Energy Networks Association guide .
River advice for boaters and Strong Stream Advice
Locks on the rivers Nene and Great Ouse are 鈥榬eversed鈥 during floods and high flows. This closes the affected locks to navigation. The Environment Agency strongly recommends that you don鈥檛 attempt to navigate during these periods. When strong stream advice is in force, signs along the river are displayed and red LED 鈥榅鈥 lights activated at reversed locks. When lit these lights mean to stay well clear and off the river, some marinas and boat clubs also display red flags.
To find out the latest river advice for boaters call the Floodline information service to find out what status the river is in for boating. The status are, normal and no warnings in force, caution which means to be aware and Strong Stream Advice where locks are closed and navigation is strongly advised against.
To find out more; Telephone Floodline: 0345 988 1188 Select option 1 and then option 1 again, when prompted;
River Nene quick dial number: 032112 River Great Ouse, Bedford Ouse from Kempston (Bedford) to St Ives Town quick dial number: 033211 River Great Ouse, Bedford Ouse from St Ives Lock to Hermitage Lock at Earith quick dial number: 033212
Mooring
Read the Anglian waterways guide for information on mooring.
Updates to this page
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There has been additional information added including Strong Stream advice.
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Changed headway measurements for Railway Bridge, Prickwillow and Prickwillow Road Bridge.
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Telephone number updated
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Information added about overhead power lines.
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First published.