List of navigation authorities in the United Kingdom facts for kids

A navigation authority is a group or organization in the United Kingdom that looks after rivers, canals, and other waterways. Their main job is to make sure these waterways are safe and easy for boats to use. This includes everything from small canals to big rivers and even parts of the sea near ports.

These authorities manage different types of waterways, such as:

• Narrow canals, which are smaller, or broad canals and ship canals, which are much wider.
• Rivers that have been made suitable for boats.
• Special areas like the Broads in Norfolk and Suffolk.
• The navigable drains in The Fens, which are flat, low-lying areas.

Who Looks After Our Waterways?

Many different groups help manage the UK's waterways. Some are large national organizations, while others are local councils or charities.

The Main Groups

There are three big organizations that manage a lot of the UK's waterways:

• Canal & River Trust – This is a charity that took over from a government body called British Waterways. They look after most of the canals and many navigable rivers across England and Wales. Their goal is to keep these waterways open and enjoyable for everyone.
• Environment Agency – This is a government body that works to protect and improve the environment. They manage many rivers as part of their job to control water levels and prevent flooding. They also make sure these rivers are safe for boats.
• Broads Authority – This group manages the beautiful waterways of the Broads in Norfolk and Suffolk. It's like a national park authority, but it also has special powers to manage boating and navigation in the area.

Other Local Helpers

Besides the main groups, many other organizations help manage specific waterways. These can include:

• Local councils that look after rivers or canals in their area.
• Other national park authorities that might have waterways within their parks.
• Smaller trusts or charities that focus on a single canal or river.

Why Do We Need Navigation Authorities?

These authorities are very important for several reasons:

• Safety: They make sure waterways are safe for all users, from boaters to paddleboarders.
• Maintenance: They keep canals and rivers clear of weeds and rubbish. They also look after important structures like locks, bridges, and aqueducts.
• Water Management: They manage water levels, which is important for navigation, preventing floods, and protecting wildlife.
• Environment: Many authorities also work to protect the natural habitats along the waterways, helping plants and animals to thrive.

Examples of Navigation Authorities in the UK

Here are some examples of the many different groups that look after specific waterways in the UK:

• Associated British Ports - manages large ports like Humber.
• Avon Navigation Trust - looks after the River Avon from Stratford-on-Avon to Tewkesbury.
• Basingstoke Canal Authority - manages the Basingstoke Canal.
• Bristol Harbour Authority - looks after Bristol's historic harbour.
• Cardiff Harbour Authority - manages Cardiff Bay.
• City of York Council - looks after parts of the River Ouse in York.
• Dart Harbour and Navigation Authority - manages the harbour in Dartmouth, Devon.
• Exeter City Council - looks after parts of the River Exe.
• Gloucester Harbour Trustees - manages Gloucester Harbour.
• Manchester Ship Canal Company - operates the large Manchester Ship Canal.
• Port of London Authority - manages the tidal River Thames in London.
• Waterways Ireland - looks after waterways that cross the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
• Wey and Godalming Navigations, National Trust - manages these historic waterways.

See also

If you want to learn more about waterways and how they are managed, check out these articles:

Waterways

• List of waterways
• Waterways in the United Kingdom
• Inland Waterways Association - a charity that campaigns for the conservation and restoration of the UK's inland waterways.

Rivers

• Rivers of the United Kingdom
• List of rivers of the United Kingdom
• Estuary - where a river meets the sea.
• Tributary - a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger one.

Canals

• Canals of the United Kingdom
• List of canal aqueducts in Great Britain - bridges that carry canals over valleys or other waterways.
• List of canal locks in Great Britain - structures that help boats move between different water levels.

Seaports

• List of seaports

Other

• Navigability - how easy it is for boats to travel on a waterway.
• Tide - the rise and fall of sea levels.

Images for kids

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  Dredging the Union Canal, Edinburgh

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  Hickling Broad, Norfolk Broads

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  Prebends Bridge, River Wear, Durham

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  Punting on the Cam, Cambridge

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  "Lore Prahm" entering Silloth Port, Solway Firth

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  River Conwy estuary, North Wales

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  River Lagan, Belfast, Northern Ireland

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  Commercial Port, Whitehaven, Solway Firth