England | Scouts

Class C waters

Bitterwell Lake; all water
West County Water park; all water; RLSS Safety Cover provided
All Public Boating Ponds

Class B1 waters

City Docks; from Cumberland Basin to Hanham Lock
River Avon; to the County limits, excluding within 100 metres of Limpley
River Kenn; All water
River Yoe; All water
Stoke Bridge; all water including weirs
All reservoirs

Class B2 waters

Costal; within half a nautical mile from the shore from Avonmouth to Clevedon
North of a line drawn from Brean Down to Steep Holm and east (shore side) of the line showing the limits of the Port of Bristol
River Avon; Tidal reaches
River Avon within 100 metres of Limpley Stoke Bridge and all weirs
River Axe; Tidal reaches

Class B3 waters

Costal; East of a line drawn between Clevedon Pier and Goldcliffe Point and west of the same line inside the limits of the Port of Bristol, unless otherwise classified

Class A waters

Costal; West of a line drawn between Clevedon Pier and Goldcliffe Point unless otherwise classified

Notes

No Notes Added

Last updated - 09/01/2025 - County Programme Team

Class C waters

High Pond (Raby Castle)
Gravel Pits (Stoney Flats, Bishopton)
Silksworth Lake (Sunderland)
Flatfield Pond (Washington)
Dawdon Pool (Seaham)
Ryton Willows

Class B1 waters

Hetton Lyons Pond
Sunderland to Wearmouth (within the outer piers and passage around North Pier to Roker Bay, from 1 May to 31 October)
Whitburn Steels to Roker Bay, Sunderland North Pier (up to a quarter of a mile offshore of LWM, from 1 May to 31 October)
River Tyne, South Pier to Herd Sands Trow Rocks (up to a quarter of a mile offshore of LWM, from 1 May to 31 October)
South Shields Harbour (if rescue facilities are afloat)
Sunderland (within the inner piers)
River Tye (Scotswood Bridge to Tyne Bridge, Tyne Bridge to South Shields Pier when rescue facilities are afloat)
River Wear (Croxdale to tidal limits, summer water levels)
River Wear (Bishop Auckland to old bridge at Sunderland Bridge / Croxdale, summer water levels. Extra caution maybe required due to trees in the river)
River Derwent (low - normal water conditions)
River Tees (below road bridge and above foot bridge in Barnard Castle, summer conditions)
River Tees (below Neasham, excluding weirs and Tees Barrage, summer conditions)
Derwent Reservoir, Selet Reservoir, Balderhead Reservoir, Cow Green Reservoir (all in summer conditions)

Class B2 waters

Sunderland to Wearmouth (within the outer piers and passage round North Pier into Roker Bay, from 1 November to 30 April)
Whitburn Steels to Roker Bay, Sunderland North Pier (from 1 November to 30 April up to a quarter of a mile offshore LWM)
River Tyne, South Pier to Herd Sands Trow Rocks (from 1 November to 30 April up to a quarter of a mile offshore LWM)
Sunderland to Cleveland Boundary (up to one mile offshore LWM)
Trow Rocks to Souter Point (up to one mile offshore LWM)
Souter Point to Whitburn Steels (up to one mile offshore LWM. Observe red flag of army firing ranges)
South Shields Harbour (when no rescue facilities afloat)
River Tees (bottom of Slalom Leap falls to Middleton excluding Horseshoe falls, Low Force, Wynch bridge falls and weirs - charge payable at Highforce Hotel)
River Tees (Winston to Neasham)
River Tyne (Tyne Bridge to South Shields piers when no rescue facilities afloat)
River Wear (Croxdale to tidal limits, medium water level, excluding weirs in Durham city)

Class B3 waters

River Tees (Middleton to Winston, normal water levels - subject to Tees access agreement)
Tees Barrage white water course
River Wear (in flood conditions)
River Derwent (flood conditions)
South Shields Harbour (in heavy inshore water, with spring tides and after heavy rains)
Durham coastal waters (up to three miles offshore of LWM)

Class A waters

River Tees (above Winston in flood conditions)
All coastal waters over three miles offshore of LWM

Notes

These sea classifications apply in calm sea and weather conditions. Scouts competing in sea races under the supervision of local sailing clubs may regard any marked course as B1 during the period of the race

Last updated – prior to November 2024

Class C waters

Cannop Pools (Fishing Lake ONLY)
Over Basin (Restricted use)
Stroud Water Canal (Excluding tunnel)
Thames & Severn Canal
Trac Lake

Class B1 waters

Bowmere Lake
Bredon's Norton
Bredon's Hardwick
Claydon Pike
Cotswold Water Park Lake
Fairford Gravel Lakes
Gloucester & Sharpness Canal
Mallards Pike
National Star Center Lake
Old Dole Lake
Pittville Lakes
River Avon (Avon Navigation Trust), all weirs and locks to be inspected prior to navigating them
River Severn (Tewkesbury to the Upper Parting), all weirs and locks to be inspected prior to navigating them
River Thames (Lechlade area) (Excluding all weirs and locks)
All other rivers and brooks not mentioned above
All Rivers when water is in winter conditions

Class B2 waters

Frampton Lakes
River Severn (from the Upper Parting to above Hempstead Weir on the East Channel. Care needed to Gloucester Docks Lock) (Excludes Lock entry other than when officially operated by Canal River Trust staff, on the Upper Severn section, and great care must be taken)

Class B3 waters

All rivers in spate or flood conditions

Class A waters

River Severn (downstream of the upper parting on the west channel and below Hempstead Weir)

Notes

Gloucestershire Water Directory map
At all states of the tide the river can be very hazardous and local knowledge should be sought. The Severn Bore occurs on about 100 days each year. Details can be obtained from http://www.thesevernbore.co.uk/
The CRT policy for canoes not using narrow locks is accepted by Paddle UK as a condition of the block licensing arrangement with the Trust. As mentioned, the exception is on the R Severn where locks are operated and the passage of vessels is supervised by CRT staff who are instructed that canoes do use these locks with powered vessels

Additional information and guidance:

Weirs are all potentially highly dangerous. Unless you have the relevant permit, with skills and experience to decide if they are safe to run they should be viewed as such and not paddled.

River Severn - Tewkesbury to above Maisemore Weir & Gloucester Docks entrance:

Normal - B1
In Flood - B2

Maisemore Weir & Gloucester Docks entrance Boxbush:

Ebb Tide - B2
Flood tide, no bore - B3
Flood tide with bore - A

Pre-cautions:

If you intend to reuse your canoeing equipment on trips to different UK waters or abroad and there will be less than a seven-day gap between your trips, your clothing and equipment has been properly sterilised through one of the following methods.

METHOD A

Drying to a minimum of 20 deg C for at least 2 days.

METHOD B

Heating to above 60 deg C for at least one hour.

METHOD C

Deep freezing for at least one day.

METHOD D

Immersion of materials in a solution of, or addition of one of the following chemicals to the concentration indicated for a minimum of 10 minutes:

Virkon 1%

Wescodyne 1%

Sodium chloride (common salt) 3%

Sodium hydroxide 0.2%

Last updated – prior to November 2024

Class C waters

Basingstoke Canal; all water
Canoe Lake, Southsea; all water
Eastrop Park, Basingstoke; all water
Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre; all water
Hawley Lake; area known as The Topper Pool and the beach area on the northern shore bounded by a line drawn from the club house to the nearest island and then from that same island to the northern shore just south of the beach area.
Horsea Lake, Portsmouth; all water
Lyons Copse Lake, Shedfield; all water
Lymington River; Salterns Sailing Club Lake
Rother River; in areas clear of overhanging trees
Salterns Sailing Club Lake, Lymington; all water
Walpole Park Lake, Gosport; all water
Wey River; in areas clear of overhanging trees

Class B1 waters

Beaulieu River; all water
Chichester Harbour; North of a line from Black Point to Longmere Point
Hamble River; all water
Haslar Lake; all water up to and including Haslar Marina
Hawley Lake; all water unless otherwise classified
Itchen River; north of Itchen Bridge and the area from Weston Jetty to Itchen Bridge which lies to the east of the line of Beacons
Keyhaven River; including adjacent creeks
Lakeside Country Park, Eastleigh; all water
Langstone Harbour; North of the Ferry
Lymington River; except Salterns Sailing Club Lake
Petersfield Town Lake; all water
Portsmouth Harbour; north of a line drawn from the Shell Pier on the Gosport side through the south cardinal posts marking the approach to the Continental Ferry Port and includes an area up to 100 metres south of this line when taking passage to and from Whale Island or Rotten Row Lake.
Portsmouth Harbour: Forton Lake and area to the West of Burrow Island (Clarence Marina)
Stoke Lake, Gosport; all water
Southampton Water; the area between the buoyed channel and the shore
Test River; west of buoy
Workhouse Lake; all water

Class B2 waters

Chichester Harbour; North of a line from East Head to Black Point and east of a line from Black Point to Longmere Point
Langstone Harbour; south of the Ferry
Portsmouth Harbour; south of a line drawn from the Shell Pier on the Gosport side through the south cardinal posts marking the approach to the Continental Ferry Port
Solent; between a western limit of a line from Hurst Point to Sconce Point and an eastern limit of a line from Foreland to Selsey Bill via Warner buoy, except shipping channels. The shipping channels may be crossed with caution, heading as near as practicable at right angles to the direction of marked channel
Southampton Water; inside the buoyed shipping channel but not including the dredged deep water channel. The dredged deep water channel may be crossed with caution, heading as near as practicable at right angles to the direction of marked channel.

These areas are transitable by motorised craft only – powerboats, yachts,

Small Ships Channel through harbour mouth
Spanning Gosport Millenium Pier (Haslar Marina) to Small Ships Pile south of Fort Blockhouse

Class B3 waters

Christchurch Bay; the area enclosed by lines drawn from Hurst Point to Sconce Point and Needles Light to Handfast Point
Solent; buoyed shipping channels
Southampton Water; dredged deep water channels
Chichester Harbour; south of a line from East Head to Black Point
Portsmouth Harbour; south of a line from the Semaphore Tower to the Oil Fuel Jetty

Class A waters

Costal; more than three miles from the shore unless otherwise classified

Notes

Please see this link for a map of water classification in the county - Portsmouth Harbour Permit Classification

Last updated – 06/05/25 - County Programe Team

Class C waters

All Canals
All minor pools and ponds not list below

Class B1 waters

Top Barn Activity Centre Lake (near Hallow, Worcester)
Arrow Valley Lake (Redditch)
Aztec Lake (Lower Moor near Pershore)
Upton Warren Lake (near Bromsgrove)
River Avon (see notes 2 and 4 below)
River Lugg (see note 4 below)
River Severn (see notes 2, 3 and 5 below)
River Teme (see note 4 below)
River Wye (see note 3 below)

Class B2 waters

River Arrow (see note 6 below)
River Rea (see note 6 below)
River Stour (see note 6 below)
All other rivers and brooks not mentioned above
All Rivers when water is in winter condition

Class B3 waters

All rivers in spate or flood conditions.

Class A waters

No Water identified

Notes

1. Assessing Normal Summer Condition -. Leaders should take into account water levels, water temperature and the flow rate of the water when assessing the water conditions. Read the guidance on river conditions.

2. On canals and canalised rivers care should be taken during the summer months due to the use by power craft. At Stourport, where the River Stour and a canal join the River Severn, special care is needed at all times of the year.

3. Monnington Falls Rapid (River Wye), Symonds Yat Rapid (River Wye) and Folly Point Rapid (River Severn) should all be inspected prior to shooting.

4. All weirs should be inspected before shooting, as there are a number that cannot safely be shot. If you're unfamiliar with the water then local advice should be taken before shooting any weirs.

5. There is a by-law prohibiting the shooting of weirs on the River Severn downstream of Stourport.

6. Local knowledge should always be sought before attempting to canoe the River Rea, River Stour and River Arrow if you are unfamiliar with these Rivers.

7. The Scout County has agreed with other river users that Scouts will attempt to avoid interfering with the many special events held on these waters. Please check for events: River Wye, River Severn, River Avon.

8. Pikes Pool at Blackwell Court Campsite (Blackwell Adventure) is considered part of Birmingham Scout County and classified by them.

Further Information on the River Wye - Important information for paddlesports leaders:

All river users benefit from a healthy aquatic environment.
Clothing and equipment that has not been thoroughly dried or disinfected can carry invasive species and diseases that can infect water bodies, often with devastating effects.
Crayfish plague is just such a disease. Another potentially damaging plague is Gyrodactylus salaries (GS) which affects salmon and could be brought in from the continent. It has devastated rivers in Norway. Another, more recent threat has come from the killer shrimp destructive species that has arrived in UK waters from Eastern Europe.
It too could have a devastating effect on wildlife and fish. They can easily be transported in the webbing and water in the bottom of canoes and kayaks. To reduce the risk of Crayfish plague, GS and killer shrimp spreading in UK waters it is important to take the following.

Pre-cautions:

If you intend to reuse your canoeing equipment on trips to different UK waters or abroad and there will be less than a seven-day gap between your trips, your clothing and equipment has been properly sterilised through one of the following methods.

METHOD A

Drying to a minimum of 20 deg C for at least 2 days.

METHOD B

Heating to above 60 deg C for at least one hour.

METHOD C

Deep freezing for at least one day.

METHOD D

Immersion of materials in a solution of, or addition of one of the following chemicals to the concentration indicated for a minimum of 10 minutes:

Virkon 1%

Wescodyne 1%

Sodium chloride (common salt) 3%

Sodium hydroxide 0.2%

Last updated – prior to November 2024

Class C waters

Chichester Canal; all water
Ifield Millpond; all water
Petworth House ponds; all water
Wey & Arun Canal; all water

Class B1 waters

River Adur; North of the Railway Bridge (TQ210052)
River Adur; North of A259 Norfolk Bridge (TQ212050) to the Railway Bridge (TQ210052), when wind force is 3 or below, and two hours either side of high water
River Arun; north from 100 metres up stream of Arundel Town Bridge (TQ020070)
River Rother; except for 100 metres below each of the following;

Moorland Farm, (SU925213)
Coultershaw Mill, (SU972194)
Fittleworth Mill, (TQ009184)
please portage from 100 metres below Hardham Weir

Ardingly Reservoir; all water
Weirwood Reservior; all water
Southwater Lake; all water
Tilgate Lake; all water
Knepp Castle Lake; all water
Chichester Harbour

north and west of a line from Marker Point on Thorney Island (SU747024) to Black Point (SZ751991) on the West Sussex/Hampshire border.
North of a line due East from West Thorney (SU769021)
North of a line due East from Cobnor House (SU794023)
North of a line due West From dell Quay (SU835028)
Pagham Harbour (except entrance)

Shoreham Harbour

north of a line from the Middle Pier (TQ235048) to Wharf End (TQ239049).
Prince Philip Lock to Aldrington Basin Portslade
Southwest of a line from the southern bank of the Adur Ferry Bridge (TQ218048) to TQ214049
Southwest of a line from the western bank of the A259 Norfolk Bridge (TQ212050) to TQ212049
Western bank, outside Shoreham Sailing club, between the two withy poles.

Coastline; Kayaks within quarter mile of mean low water (MLW) in winds not exceeding force 3, and below half tide. Boats up to half mile when wind force is 3 or below

From SZ885964 to SZ978991
From SU995003 to TQ028011
From TQ033013 to TQ230044

Class B2 waters

Chichester Harbour; unless otherwise classified
Coastline; from SZ885964 to TQ028011 and TQ033013 to TQ230044 up to one mile out to sea unless otherwise classified
River Adur; south of The Railway Bridge (TQ210052) unless otherwise stated;
River Arun; north of Fishermans Hard (TQ027019);
River Rother; for 100 metres below each of the following; Moorland Farm, (SU925213), Coultershaw Mill, (SU972194), Fittleworth Mill, (TQ009184)

Class B3 waters

Coastline; up to three miles offshore unless otherwise stated
Chichester Harbour; south of a line from Black Point, (SZ751991) to East Head, (SZ767994)
Pagham Harbour; entrance quarter mile radius of SZ880961
River Arun; south of Fishermans Hard, TQ027019

Class A waters

Coastline more than three miles offshore

Notes

There are two charts depicting these classifications:

Last updated – prior to November 2024