OldiesHome - 1st Tadcaster - Wetherby Water Advisor
Central Yorkshire County Badge

Yorkshire Water Classification.

The following is based on the National Directory of Waters published in September 2001, which is available by post from the Information Centre. The new rules for Class C waters may mean there are local classifications as Class C. As a result counties may have changed water classifications from that published in 2000. For example, Central Yorkshire has classed all waters as B1, pending a review of potential Class C waters.

Yorkshire is treated as a single area as the rivers by and large form part of the same catchment. There are five Scout counties (Central, North, West, South - and Humberside) relevant to Yorkshire, so the classification can change when moving from one county to the other. Some rivers also fall in Durham.

The following codes are used :
SY =South Yorkshire
NY =North Yorkshire
WY =West Yorkshire
CY =Central Yorkshire
Hu =Humberside
Du =Durham
along with the class of water (C, B1, B2, B3 and A), therefore SY-A means classed as A in South Yorkshire.

Index: -- CANALS -- RIVERS -- RESERVOIRS and LAKES -- the SEA

Note all waters in Central and West Yorkshire that are not included in this list are classified as B1. Scouts using waters which have not hitherto been available should ask for classification and advice regarding quality of water from ACC(WA).

Canals

(index)

All canals in West Yorkshire are B1, elsewhere canals are C.

Rivers.

(index)

Weirs. In North Yorkshire all Weirs are classed B2 unless otherwise classified below.

Pollution. South Yorkshire rivers are grossly polluted and should be avoided. (However, you can find reports of trips on these rivers published in the canoeing press.)

Spate conditions. The classifications are for rivers at 'normal' level, and will have to be UPGRADED when in spate or at low level. It should be noted that all Dales rivers can rise and fall substantially in a short period of time and local advice should be sought before using the classifications.

Access. The inclusion of a river in this list gives absolutely no guarantee that an access agreement is in existence. There are several problems with regard to river access in the Yorkshire. Unless you have your own access arrangements you must contact the BCU local river adviser. Where a BCU access agreement is in force it must be observed by members of The Scout Association unless the permission of every individual landowner over whose water it is proposed to canoe has been obtained.

Reservoirs, lakes etc.

(index)

The Reservoirs listed in South Yorkshire are controlled by Sailing Clubs from whom permission should be sought before use.

Sea and Tidal Waters.

(index)

Kayaking on the sea and in the surf requires specific knowledge and experience.

Tidal estuaries

Open sea and beaches.