River levels are now falling in Oxford and we expect to see floodwater begin to drain away over the coming weeks. The flood peaked yesterday, 18 January, when the Thames south of Osney Lock reached 3.58m, the Bulstake at New Botley recorded 2.64m, and the Seacourt at Minns estate was at 2.68m.

These levels are below those recorded two years ago, on 3 February 2021, when the Thames at Osney reached 3.73m, the Bulstake 2.80m and the Seacourt 2.90m.

The 2021 event was the most serious flooding since the floods of January and February 2014. On 9 January that year the Thames downstream of Osney lock recorded 3.93m, the Bulstake 3.02m and the Seacourt 3.08m. Some properties were affected by the 2014 flooding. A second wave of flooding in February reached similar levels, though not quite as high.

We’ve been pleased with the level of preparedness and response from the various agencies involved this year. We have been sharing photographs of this year’s flooding with the Environment Agency to assist them in checking assumptions in the flood model used to manage response to high rainfall and river levels.

Fields near South Hinksey, 18 January