At last! The waters finally subsided and, two weeks later than scheduled, had our first 2024 normal day's duty at #Sawley . Our lock keeping volunteer duo of Barrie and Tina locked through 29 boats to get them moving and our seasonal tally going. Canal & River Trust East Midlands #VolunteerByWater

With all the rain, it'll come as no surprise to anyone that we're still not on duty at #Sawley , where the Upper Trent remains on red. A real washout for boaters and frustrating for our lock keepers who're keen to get going with the season, but better to be safe.
Canal & River Trust East Midlands

Our lock keeping season was due to start on #GoodFriday but more rain means the Upper Trent is on red. Fingers crossed that'll change soon but, for now, keep updated on stoppages here: rb.gy/ctlo1v. Hope to see you all soon. Stay safe. Canal & River Trust Canal & River Trust East Midlands

When the #RiverTrent flooded recently it left the facilities area at #Sawley locks covered in silt which mixed with the fallen leaves to make a right slippery mess. Some of our lovely lock keepers got together to clear it this week, making it safer for boaters. #VolunteerbyWater

And, just like that, another lock keeping season has come to an end. Sadly, with the mayhem left by the floods, we haven't been on duty for the final few days of October. We've lots to do over the coming months and look forward to seeing you all again in Spring. #VolunteerByWater

The Upper Trent has breached the flood gates and the water has submerged our locks at Sawley. With grateful thanks to the skipper of widebeam GXA for the footage this morning. Thank heavens no reports of boats/boaters harmed. Stay safe all. Canal & River Trust East Midlands Canal & River Trust Boating #flooding

And the Upper Trent is on red again so no boat movement means our volunteers are having a lie in instead. We will be back on duty again as soon as river levels recede and it’s once again safe to navigate. Meanwhile, take care folks.

With water levels lower, we're back on duty. However, with more rain forecast, it might not last. Remember, to check all Canal & River Trust Boating water levels warnings and updates, click rb.gy/p6dtw. Better still, subscribe to all relevant notices here: rb.gy/5wq2k.

Red again today, folks, at Sawley, Cranfleet, Trent Lock and Beeston. Stay put and stay safe. Keep monitoring the Canal & River Trust warnings info page in the post below for updates. To keep an eye on national river levels, this Gov site is useful, too: rb.gy/8n4k2

We are still on red, so no lock keepers on duty today.

Sawley flood gates are closed, Sawley locks & nearby navigations on red with Canal & River Trust advisory that all boats not navigate due to strong flows making it difficult & dangerous. For all Canal & River Trust Boating warnings & updates: rb.gy/p6dtw. Stay safe out there folks.

Tina is the very latest member of our qualified volunteer lock keeping team here at Sawley, having passed her assessment today. Travel-loving and cake-baking Tina's other half, Adrian, is also one of our lock keepers. Well done, Tina - we're so glad you #VolunteerByWater with us.

A reminder that the Canal & River Trust winter mooring permits are on sale from today on a first-come, first-served basis. Locations and prices along with FAQs can be found in the link below and include 100 metres available here at Sawley Cut on the Upper Trent. Canal & River Trust Boating

The latest member of our team to receive recognition from Canal & River Trust for having given 500 hours to volunteering as a lock keeper at Sawley is Andy. In his third season with us, he's always smiling. Congratulations to him and here's to the next 500! #VolunteerByWater

Congratulations to Tony here, who passed his lock keeping assessment today. A keen boater and avid fan of the waterways, we're delighted to have him in our #Sawley team (despite a very dodgy repertoire of 'Dad' jokes). Bravo to the team for training him so well. #VolunteerByWater

Winter Canal & River Trust moorings for 2023/24 will be available for up to four months from 1 Nov 2023 until 29 Feb 2024. Permits will be on sale from Tuesday, 3 Oct at 8am on a first-come, first-served basis. More info about locations and prices here: tinyurl.com/puj37uy6

Yesterday, our fabulous colleague Jan was presented with a Bronze Award for chalking up 500 hours #volunteering as a lock keeper at #Sawley . Well done, Jan and here’s to the next 500. Canal & River Trust Canal & River Trust East Midlands CRT Volunteers #VolunteerByWater

Happy to report that the fantastic Canal & River Trust engineers arrived as planned this morning and did a great job. Lock 1 is now operational once again which means we're back up to full strength. Thanks, chaps! Canal & River Trust Boating Canal & River Trust East Midlands #VolunteerByWater #volunteering