The River Thames in Flood Windsor, December 2000 Last updated - Friday 15th December 2000 This article contains 18 photographs. Please allow time for them to arrive! All text and photographs copyright © ThamesLink Ltd 2000 Click here for details of the Environment Agency Flood Warning system Click for November flood photographs Index to River Thames stories Towards Windsor Bridge from upstream (13th December) 13th December 2000 Just over one month ago in the first week of November the UK was suffering some of the worst and most widespread flooding for 50 years or more. Yorkshire was suffering, the Severn Valley was inundated as well as many parts of Kent and Sussex. The Midlands were not spared either. Yet here in Windsor, although the river was high, and even though some properties in Maidenhead were affected in the Ray Mead Road area, no inundation occurred in this area. One month later and the river is in flood once more. It is true to say that the river level had not actually returned to normal at any time in the last four weeks but at least the river's height was contained within its banks. Now the river has burst its banks once again and river levels forecast to continue rising for the next few days. This week river levels are higher than November by some 6" or so. The following photographs were taken in the course of this week and will be added to in the event that the river rises significantly. No threat to housing exists in the Windsor area at this time. 15th December 2000 The river has risen 2"-3" in the last two days, and is now approximatelky 3 feet above normal, sufficient to flood The Brocas on the north side of the Thames although roads and property in the area remain above the river level. Experts are predicting that, with the ground saturated, severe weather at any time through the winter could well cause a reoccurrence of increased river levels from time to time. The severity of the rainfall, and the intervals between each period of bad weather, is obviously critical to the potential for future flooding. Eton College Boathouses (13th December) From The Promenade at Barry Avenue. Baths Island is now totally submerged and The Brocas, on the far side of the river, starts to flood. (13th December) Two days later, 15th December, and The Brocas on the far side of the river is inundated. View this area from the other side of the river, 14th December 2000 View the same scene in 9th November 2000 View from The Promenade (13th December) The water begins to flood The Brocas. The Promenade at Barry Avenue. (13th December) The boats remain moored alongside the towpath beside the river, now under almost two feet of water. The Footbridge to Baths Island. (13th December) Water streams through the Great Western Railway arches. The view downstream from The Great Western Railways arches. And a fine flock of swans. (13th December) Two days later and the river has risen by some 4" inches. (15th December 2000) Upstream from Brunel's 'Bowstring' Bridge, the flood water has covered Baths Island. (14th December 2000) [Click to see a summer view] Some views of Windsor Racecourse The approach road to Windsor Racecourse flooded on the approach to the bridge. (13th December) The car park at Windsor Racecourse flooded. (13th December) The grandstand and play area, with the race course beyond under several inches of water. (13th December) Officials parking area adjacent to the river. (13th December) Windsor Racecourse. (13th December) The Home Park Above and Below: The river encroaches onto the eastern side of The Home Park, Windsor. The river at this point is downstream of Romney Lock. (13th December) The Railway Bridge - Home Park, Windsor. (13th December)   An extract from 'The Windsor Floods of 1947' There had been a minor flood in December, but nothing much except that the ground was becoming saturated, and the snow represented whole lakes of water if there was a sudden thaw. And there was. In addition, heavy rain fell on March 10th, followed by even heavier rain - nearly one inch (2.5 cm). On March 14th the thawing snows could not drain into the frozen ground and so the water continued down hill into the streams and rivers. These rose at an alarming rate - sometimes almost a foot (30 cm) an hour. Old hands prepared to visit relatives living on high ground. The Thames topped its banks on 14th March... Further reading Click here for details of the Environment Agency Flood Warning system Click for November flood photographs Index to River Thames stories Back to What's New Back to Royal Windsor Home Page

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