Jubilee River

The Jubilee River is an artificial flood-relief channel in southern England. It runs for 11.6 km and is on average 45 metres wide. The channel was built in the late 1990s and early 2000s to take overflow from the River Thames. Its purpose is to reduce flooding in Maidenhead, Windsor and Eton. Water is taken from the Thames upstream of Boulter’s Lock and returned downstream of Eton. The scheme was designed to protect towns built on the Thames flood plain. The Jubilee River was constructed as part of the Maidenhead, Windsor and Eton Flood Alleviation Scheme. Planning began in the 1980s and the project cost £110 million. Lewin, Fryer and Partners were the consulting engineers throughout. One of the major challenges was building Dorney Bridge to carry the channel beneath the Great Western Main Line. The railway embankment was stabilised by freezing the ground for three months before tunnelling through it. The channel was designed to look like a natural river with wildlife habitats along its banks. About 38 hectares of reed beds and 5 hectares of wet woodland were created. A footpath combined with National Cycle Route 61 runs along almost the entire length. The river is used by walkers, runners, swimmers, canoeists and cyclists. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot green woodpeckers, cormorants, lapwing and red kites along its banks.