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Silver Propeller Challenge

Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to visit as many of the nation’s underused waterways as you can by boat or canoe.

Fund Britain’s Waterways

Find out more about the Fund Britain’s Waterways action group

Join us

We are the only independent, national charity campaigning for Britain’s canals and rivers

WRG Canal Camps 2024

Book a holiday with a difference!

ONLY IWA DOES THIS

We are passionate about protecting and restoring Britain’s network of canals and navigable rivers for everyone to enjoy.

The inland waterways are special outdoor places – sometimes tranquil and sometimes bustling – whose unique landscape, heritage and habitats are under threat from many pressures, not least inadequate Government support.

We are the only national charity that campaigns locally and nationally for all the country’s canals and river navigations.

We provide leadership, resources and practical support for the waterway restoration sector.

We lobby parliament, champion regeneration, run events, and fight to improve the waterways for all legitimate users.

We are the navigation authority for the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation in Essex.

Our Waterway Recovery Group undertakes civil engineering works and provides practical support across the country.

Our  local branches provide support to waterways in their communities, and a social network for our members.

Our national committees and panels provide expertise and guidance across the sector.

Only IWA does all this, and more.

Our members are waterways-lovers from all walks of life who want to preserve and improve the network for future generations.

If you love the waterways, then join us.

Waterways for Today

Introducing the Waterways for Today report and IWA’s vision for the future…

LATEST NEWs

Sustainable boating

We are campaigning for boating on canals and rivers to be more sustainable.

Preserving heritage

Britain’s canals and rivers are a unique, living heritage. But that heritage is at risk.

Safeguarding waterways

Hundreds of miles of waterways are currently starved of funding.

Volunteers working on the restoration of the Stover Canal

Restoring waterways

Bringing Britain’s blue infrastructure back to life is good for people and places.

Inland Waterways Events