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Norfolk Broads Bridge Clearances & Tidal Rise and Fall Chart

These average summer high water Bridge Clearances are only approximate as many factors including differing tides and weather conditions will affect the accuracy.

The Norfolk Broads tidal rise and fall figures are based on a single tide and are yet again only approximate. In addition some of this information dates back to 1995 and I don’t know if climate change may have had any effect.

At Potter Heigham Bridge it is compulsory to use the chargeable Pilot Service to take any Hire Craft through. Although the plaque on the boat may state that the boat is capable of going through Potter Heigham Bridge this is rarely achievable. The majority of time there is insufficient clearance. The pilot is best qualified to inform you if both your outward and return passage is possible. You can telephone in advance on 01692 670460 between 8.30 a.m. and 5.00 p.m or call mobile number 07990 686097.

*At Wroxham Bridge I am not totally sure but believe it has now been made compulsory by all hire craft companies to use the chargeable Pilot Service Tel: 07775 297638. I would recommend using the Pilot regardless. It's worth making enquiries when you pick up the boat as some companies based in Wroxham may provide a staff member to take the boat through.

Although official figures give Wroxham Bridge an estimated clearance of 7ft 3ins at high water in my recent visits I have rarely seen more than 7ft 3ins clearance at low water. In fact I have noticed that most of the time the gauge remains close to 7ft.

You can find more information on negotiating bridges by selecting the “Boating Tips” Tab and then chose “Bridges” from the section tabs lower down the boating tips page. Their is also a video of a Pilot taking a boat through Potter Heigham Bridge.

At Yarmouth The Broads Authority list Yarmouth Vauxhall Bridge as having 3" less clearance than Acle Road bridge. The gauge boards are all set for the lowest point on Vauxhall Bridge.

Hover on picture to see the bridge name and Click on a bridge picture to enlarge

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Additional Norfolk Broads River Levels

This Norfolk Broads tidal rise and fall figures are based on a single tide and is only approximate . Many factors could affect the accuracy of these figures.

Bridge Gaps

Location	Type	High Water Headroom /Air Draft	Total Rise & Fall	Width
NORTHERN BROADS		Imperial	Imperial	Imperial
River Bure
Breydon Road Bridge	Lift	13 ft	3 ft - 6 ft
Yarmouth Vauxhall	Fixed	6 ft 9"	3 ft - 6 ft	100 ft
Yarmouth Road	Fixed	7 ft	3 ft - 6 ft	70 ft
Acle Road	Fixed	12 ft	1 ft 3” - 1 ft 9”	78 ft
Wroxham Road	Fixed Arch	7 ft 3"	4” - 6”	I believe All Must Use Pilot. Chargeable.
Wroxham Rail	Fixed	15 ft	4” - 6”	47 ft
River Ant
Ludham	Fixed	8 ft 6"	7” - 9”	18 ft
Wayford	Fixed	7 ft	0”	20 ft
River Thurne
Potter Heigham Old	Fixed Arch	6 ft 5"	4” - 6”	All Must Use Pilot. Chargeable.
Potter Heigham New	Fixed	7 ft 7"	4” - 6”	73 ft 6"

SOUTHERN BROADS
River Waveney
St Olaves	Fixed	8 ft	2 ft 6” - 3 ft	78 ft 6"
Somerleyton	Swing	8 ft 6”	2 ft 3” - 2 ft 6”	54 ft
Beccles Bypass New	Fixed	12 ft	2 ft 6”	95 ft
Beccles Road Old	Fixed	6 ft 6"	2 ft 6”	41 ft 6"
New Cut
Haddiscoe	Fixed	24 ft	2 ft 9”	40ft
River Yare
Reedham	Swing	10 ft	2 ft - 2 ft 6”	54 ft 6"
Postwick Viaduct	Fixed	35 ft	2 ft - 3 ft
Thorpe Rail (both ends of loop)	Fixed	6'	2 ft - 3 ft
River Wensum (through Norwich)
Trowse	Swing	9 ft	1 ft 6 “ - 2 ft	30 ft
Carrow	Lift	14 ft	1 ft 6 “ - 2 ft	30 ft
Novi Sad	Swing	16 ft	1 ft 6 “ - 2 ft	54 ft
Lady Julian	Swing	13 ft	1 ft 6 “ - 2 ft
Foundry (By Norwich Y.S.)	Fixed	10 ft	1 ft 6 “ - 2 ft	54 ft
Bishop	Fixed	10 ft 6"	1 ft 6 “ - 2 ft	No hire craft through/beyond bridge

NORTHERN BROADS		SOUTHERN BROADS
Location	Total Rise & Fall	Location	Total Rise & Fall	Location	Total Rise & Fall
River Bure		River Yare		River Chet
Horning	6" - 9"	Cantley	2 ft	Loddon	2 ft - 2 ft 6"
Stokesby	2 ft	Beachamp	2 ft 6" - 3 ft	River Waveney
Stracey	2 ft	Brundall	2 ft 6"	Oulton Broad	2 ft 9"
River Thurne		Surlingham	2 ft	Beccles	2 ft 6"
Thurne Mouth	1 ft	Bramerton	2 ft	Geldeston	2 ft - 2 ft 6"