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Campaign for the waterways

Lobby your national, regional and local politicians, and encourage them to secure funding for canals and rivers in your local area.

Waterways Risk Index

IWA has produced a first-of-its-kind map revealing the likely impact of 2^oC degrees warming on Britain’s 5,000-mile network of canals and navigable rivers, as well as other risks.

Join us

We are the only independent, national charity campaigning for Britain’s canals and rivers

Events, Activities and Work Parties

There’s so much to do on and around the waterways – join us as we work to improve and enjoy the nation’s canals and rivers

ONLY IWA DOES THIS

We are passionate about protecting and restoring Britain’s network of canals and navigable rivers for everyone to enjoy.

The inland waterways are special outdoor places – sometimes tranquil and sometimes bustling – whose unique landscape, heritage and habitats are under threat from many pressures, not least inadequate Government support.

We are the only national charity that campaigns locally and nationally for all the country’s canals and river navigations.

We provide leadership, resources and practical support for the waterway restoration sector.

We lobby parliament, champion regeneration, run events, and fight to improve the waterways for all legitimate users.

We formed Essex Waterways Ltd to take over and manage the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation in Essex when it fell into financial difficulties, and after nearly 20 years passed ownership to a specially set up charity, Essex Waterways Navigation Trust, that remains part of IWA’s wider family.

Our Waterway Recovery Group undertakes civil engineering works and provides practical support across the country.

Our local branches provide support to waterways in their communities, and a social network for our members.

Our national committees and panels provide expertise and guidance across the sector.

Only IWA does all this, and more.

Our members are waterways-lovers from all walks of life who want to preserve and improve the network for future generations.

If you love the waterways, then join us.

The latest news

See all articles

News

Canal Critics Answered

Michael, who is also President of the Shrewsbury District and North Wales Branch of the Inland Waterways Association, said, following…

News

IWA Responds to Anglian Water Reservoir Plans

Anglian Water, working with Cambridge Water, is progressing plans for a new reservoir in the Cambridge Fens to secure future…

News

Breach on the Llangollen Canal at Whitchurch – IWA Response

Commenting on this latest breach, Michael Haig, chair of Shrewsbury & North Wales branch of The Inland Waterways Association, said:…

News

Controversial Fees on the River Clyde Abandoned

Peel Ports Clydeport has halted plans to charge small boat owners a £100 annual “leisure vehicle conservancy fee” following widespread…

The image shows a drained Wendover Arm (the section under restoration) fenced off and with vegetation growing in the canal bed

News

IWA Response to CRT’s Restoration Delivery Plan

IN SUMMARY IWA has strongly challenged CRT’s new draft Restoration Delivery Plan (RDP), arguing that it treats restoration as a…

News

IWA Concerned about Closure of Boaters’ Facilities

CRT announced in its Boaters Update email on 9th October that all “non-essential facilities” were to be closed from 3rd November with…

Sustainable boating

We are campaigning for boating on canals and rivers to be more sustainable.

Preserving heritage

Britain’s canals and rivers are a unique, living heritage. But that heritage is at risk.

Safeguarding waterways

Hundreds of miles of waterways are currently starved of funding.

Volunteers working on the restoration of the Stover Canal

Restoring waterways

Bringing Britain’s blue infrastructure back to life is good for people and places.

Inland Waterways Events

20 Jan 2026

Volunteering

Volunteer on the Northampton Arm

Northampton

23 Jan 2026

Volunteering

Work Party – Burslem Port

Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent

28 Jan 2026

Social

Surveying & Mapping the World – IWA Chiltern Branch Talk

Rickmansworth

Book now

31 Jan 2026

Guided Walk

Lancaster Canal – Gunpowder walk – crooklands

Milnthorpe, Cumbria

01 Feb 2026

Volunteering

Volunteer on the Northampton Arm

Northampton Arm

Book now

01 Feb 2026

Guided Walk

Regent’s Canal, Little Venice to Camden

Central London

See all events

LOVE YOUR WATERWAYS

Britain's waterways are vital; together we can campaign for them now and for the future.

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