Did you know, IWA send out plaques to those who reach 50 years of membership? In this newest edition of Waterways magazine, read all about some of the members who have reached this impressive milestone. Join as a member today to receive your copy! Sign up through our website #inlandwaterways
Stand Up Paddleboarders and a canoeist on the river, with a background of trees and fields with grazing cows.
3 Stand Up Paddleboarders paddling on the canal in Paddington Basin, London.
A long paddleboarder about to go under a bridge in early spring.
Inflatable canoe comes under a canal bridge with 2 paddlers inside. Narrowboats can be seen moored to the side, with another following the canoe.
The sun on your face and the water beneath you. Freedom all around 💙
There's no better way to explore the waterways than by paddle. So let's keep our waterways clean, safe & beautiful for every adventure you take. Have you done any great paddle adventures recently? #paddleboarding #inlandwaterways
The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the waterways pose together for a photo against a boardroom back drop. Image includes Ozzie, the dog, held by his owner.
Close up of Ozzie the dog.
We act as the secretariat in Parliament for the All Party Group (APPG) on waterways. Today, members met to discuss the unique concerns of residential boaters, with representatives from across the boating community. Today's honorary APPG member - Ozzie the dog!
Today is World Health Day and we are focusing on the amazing benefits to our health that our waterways bring us. For all the users of our waterways, these spaces mean a lot & they need protecting. Join our mailing list to keep up to date with all the latest on our campaign action (link on website).
A bit of waterways magic for the weekend ✨💧
This March, the Birmingham Canal Network clean up cleared over 2 tonnes of waste from the Old Main Line Canal in Tipton. Despite last-minute location changes, dedicated volunteers managed 2 boatloads of canal debris and 1 of towpath litter. Thanks to all involved! #CanalCleanup #Volunteers #iwa #wrg
💧 It's World Water Day 2026! World Water Day celebrates water and inspires action to protect this precious resource. The waterways of Britain give us so many reasons to celebrate water and IWA is protecting, restoring and championing, these vital networks #worldwaterday #worldwaterday2026 #ukcanal
Silhouette of 4 ducks, 1 large and 3 small, crossing a field with a narrowboat in the background
Close up of a duckling
A close up of a male and female ducks sitting on top of a narrowboat roof.
Close up of a mandarin duck
🦆 Wildlife Wednesday! And today, some of our favourite photos of Ducks. Have you spotted any unusual Ducks on your local waterway? #ducks #inlandwaterways #wildlifewednesday
Image shows Ellesmere warehouse in 2025, currently in disrepair.
Image shows alternate view of Ellesmere warehouse, in disrepair, with an old narrowboat in the foreground.
Back view of Ellesmere warehouse, showing the building covered in climbing plants and badly graffitied.
Our Risk Index map highlights heritage features needing investment. It's great to report that Ellesmere Warehouse is being converted into a café and visitors centre . Previously in disrepair, the building is getting a new lease of life, with work starting in 2026.
And just realised we said we love a lock flight but didn't specify! It's Delph Locks on the Dudley Canal.
Great guessing! Yes we love a lock flight! The others are Frankton Locks on the Montgomery, Hazelhurst Top Lock on the Caldon and Lock 64 on the Trent and Mersey.
2 women work the top lock of a flight whilst a narrowboat passes through.
A boat leaves a canal lock
A man leans against a lock to open it as a boat is waiting to pass through. A lock keepers cottage is situated to the left of the image.
A canal boat with passengers waits to ascend a lock, the gates of which are currently closed.
It's self proclaimed lock appreciation day! Locks are a marvel of engineering on the canals - see if you can name any of the locks pictured #canallock #inlandwaterways #lockappreciationday
Volunteers work on a restoration canal camp
Volunteers work on a restoration canal camp. A digger is shown, with a cement mixer and a volunteer walking across the site, whilst another brick lays.
Volunteers work on a restoration canal camp, sited on scaffolding and using power tools.
3 volunteers, 2 working and one looking at the camera, on a canal camp.
Bookings are open for the 2026 Waterway Recovery Group (WRG) Canal Camps! These week-long working holidays are a great way to learn new skills, meet people, and give back while having fun. Some camps fill up fast, so book now on the events section of our website! #canalrestoration #workingholiday
🏴 Happy St David's Day! To celebrate, here are some of our favourite images from our members on the Welsh canals. Pictured in order is Frankton Locks on the Montgomery canal, Llanover on the Mon & Brec, Autumn on the Mon & Brec and Berriew Lock on the Montgomery canal. #stdavidsday
An image of a derelict Hanwell Ponds.
Part of the lock mechanism at Hanwell Ponds.
An image of the derelict Hanwell Ponds with overgrown vegetation.
The Hanwell Ponds in Ealing, built in 1815, are being restored! Highlighted on our Risk Index map due to the current condition of these rare side-ponds used for saving water during lock operations. Volunteers can join the Canal Camp with the Waterway Recovery Group in April '26. Book on our website.
A canal boat is stationary on the water with a background of vibrant spring blossom on the trees.
A close up shot of a bee in flight pollinating a blossom flower.
Daffodils about to bloom in the foreground with a narrow boat and the canal just visible behind.
There are signs of spring everywhere on the waterways by the end of February - it won't be long until things are bursting into life. Share any of your spring photos with us.
#springiscoming #inlandwaterways
Eisey lock, part of the Thames and Severn canal restoration, was abandoned in 1927 and was restored with significant volunteer work led by the Cotswold Canal Trust, Waterway Recovery Group and restoration group Dig Deep #canalrestoration #inlandwaterways
A collie dog relaxes on the front of a blue and red narrowboat
A chocolate Labrador sleeps on the back of a narrowboat.
A white and grey terrier lies at the feet of its owner on the back of a narrowboat
A man paints the hull of his boat whilst floating on a small raft in the water. His dog is barely visible on the raft with him.
🐶 Dogs on boats!
Some of our favourite pictures of our doggy friends enjoying the waterways. Bonus points if you can spot the dog in the last picture! Share your pictures of dogs on boats with us.
Great video!
There's some interesting sights to behold on our waterways! Whether it's unusual craft, out of place wildlife or more swans than you thought possible, there's always something to see! What's the most unusual thing you've ever seen? Share them with us in the comments #inlandwaterways #unusualsights
The plight of our waterways has come to the attention of the international news media. Read more in this article by the Associated French Press today.
www.france24.com/en/live-news...
The Aberdulais Aqueduct in Neath, Wales. Shown here with crumbling walls.
The Aberdulais Aqueduct in Neath, Wales. Shown on a sunny day, with low water and ivy climbing over the crumbling walls.
The Aberdulais Aqueduct in Neath, Wales. Blue sky, winter trees and calm waters.
The Aberdulais Aqueduct in Neath, Wales.
Our Risk Index Campaign highlights the heritage features most at risk on the network, such as the Aberdulais Aqueduct in Neath, Wales. We are collaborating with Neath & Tennant Canals Trust, CADW, and other stakeholders to discuss conservation steps. More information can be found on our website.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has announced a £6.5 million investment in Britain's canals. This funding aims to increase resilience against climate change, which is a major threat to our waterways. While it's only a fraction of what's needed, it's a positive step forward.
Do you have any favourite wildlife you spot when spending time on or around your local waterway? Let us know who you've seen and where in the comments below.
#wildlife #inlandwaterways
Aqueducts are pretty amazing, but maybe don't give it too much thought if crossing the 126ft high Pontcysyllte Aqueduct! It's also 100ft long, completed in 1805. #inlandwaterways #ukcanals #acqueduct
A family with young children walk beside a canal on a sunny winters day.
Do you have a favourite winter wander?
Share with us your favourite waterside walks for the winter time in the comments.
#winterwalks #ukcanals #riverwalks
Plans announced from government today will be scrutinised in the relevant IWA committee. There is only one mention of canals, in the context of the Grand Union water transfer project so we are going to go over it in detail in the coming days. Full paper can be read here:
www.gov.uk/government/p...
A narrowboat crosses under an arched bridge on a sunny day with cow parsley in the foreground and a blue sky.
Canal boats moored along a still canal, with a bright blue sky and a lot of green trees and bank surrounding.
A summer day, green hills with grazing cows, blue sky and the river meandering through, reflecting the sky.
A canal boat navigates along the late summer canal, with tall grasses in the foreground and mown golden fields with green trees in the background. 2 people are at the tiller of the boat, with their backs to the camera.
Some might say this week is a tricky one (anyone feel Blue Monday yesterday?!) But don't worry - here's some sunny images to remind you that summer on the waterways isn't far away. Do you have any summer waterways plans yet?
Did you know 96% of Britain's waterways lack public access? This week, @paddleuk and @theoutdoorswimmingsociety were on BBC Countryfile at Cromford Canal, Derbyshire, pushing for legislation to open up our waterways. Our upcoming Waterways magazine features a family walk along this historic canal.
