account arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right closecontact-us emailFacebookheart instagramjoin linkedin phonepinterestplaysearch twitteryoutube

Who maintains the UK’s canals and rivers?

The UK’s canals and navigable rivers are managed by navigation authorities

UK navigation authorities are responsible for looking after the waterways including maintaining locks and bridges, dredging and flood management.

If you want to use the waterways for activities like boating, paddling or fishing you may need a licence from the navigation authority that manages it. You can find out which navigation authority manages the waterway you want to use on our waterway pages.

Navigation Authorities