Wensum & Yare flood watch

Live Environment Agency flood warnings for the Wensum and Yare through Norwich, the upstream gauges that move first, and who to call if water is rising.

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Warnings in force

Flood alert — flooding is possible

The tidal Rivers Bure, Ant and Thurne. Higher than normal tides this afternoon may lead to flooding. Flooding is possible 1:00pm to 4:00pm on Monday 12th October. We expect to see high water levels around Potter Heigham, Wroxham boat yards and Ferry Road in Horning. Levels can take several hours to peak. We are closely monitoring the situation . Take care and avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water. This message will be updated by 5:00PM on Monday 12 October or as the situation changes. Raised 12 October at 10:04.

River levels

Levels are measured against each gauge’s usual range — “above typical” doesn’t mean flooding, but it’s the first thing that moves when water is on its way.

Gauge	Speaks for	Reading	Level
Wensum at Costessey Mill	The Wensum at the city's north-west doorstep — the last gauge with a published typical range before the river enters Norwich	0.241 m	Below typical range
Wensum at Swanton Morley	The upper Wensum, well upstream of the city — rises here show up in Norwich later, so this is the early signal	0.102 m	Within typical range
Yare at Colney	The Yare entering the city's south-west edge — Colney, the hospital and UEA marshes, Cringleford and Eaton	0.125 m	Below typical range
Tas at Shotesham	The Tas valley south of Norwich, which feeds the Yare just upstream of Trowse	0.163 m	Below typical range

Each reading is metres on that gauge’s own scale, so compare a gauge with itself over time — not one gauge with another.

Worth knowing

Who is in the flood band

Flood risk in Norwich is specific, not citywide. The Environment Agency keeps three standing flood areas here: two warning areas for riverside properties on the Wensum through the city — including Bishopgate, Riverside and the streets around Carrow Road — and a broader alert area covering the Wensum from New Costessey to Thorpe Bridge. If any of them is activated, it appears under 'Warnings in force' above.

Why no city-centre gauge is listed

The Environment Agency's gauges inside Norwich itself — New Mills, Hellesdon Mill, Trowse Mill and Carrow Bridge — report levels but don't publish a typical range through the public API, so we can't honestly say whether their reading is high or normal. Costessey Mill, just upstream, does publish one, so it stands in as the closest meaningful gauge. The official GOV.UK page linked below lists the city-centre stations with their raw levels.

If water is rising

Floodline is open 24 hours: 0345 988 1188 (textphone 0345 602 6340). You can also sign up there for free flood warnings by phone or text. If flooding puts anyone in immediate danger, call 999.