The following table shows the dates and times at which an unusually high tide is expected on the River Thames around Chiswick. The table lists all tides of 7.2 metres and above (predicted height at London Bridge).

Areas of Chiswick that may flood during very high tides include the roadway at Chiswick Mall and the towpath at Strand on the Green.

This table is meant as a guide only. Some flooding may occur on other dates, and tides can peak earlier or later than the predicted times. The actual tide height can be increased or decreased according to recent rainfall (affecting the fresh water flow on the Thames), and by wind strength and direction and atmospheric pressure (which can combine to produce a storm surge entering the estuary from the North Sea). While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this data no warranty is provided, and we cannot accept any responsibility for accident, damage or injury caused through the use of the tide tables.

The times in the table are calculated for Chiswick Mall. Add 10 minutes for Strand on the Green. All times are local (GMT or BST according to the season). The tide heights are the predictions for London Bridge.

Conversion from London Bridge tide times

The times of Thames tides in newspapers etc. are usually given for London Bridge. To obtain the time of high/low tide in the Chiswick area, add the following to the London Bridge time:

Chiswick Mall Strand on the Green

High tide + 40 min. + 50 min.

Low tide + 2 hr. 5 min. + 2 hr. 40 min.

If the published time is in GMT, as often happens, don't forget to add an extra hour during the operation of British Summer Time.

The table above lists only the highest tides of the year. There are a number of ways of obtaining further information about tides as they affect Chiswick:

1. The booklet 2008 London Bridge and Thames Estuary Tide Tables is available, price £1, from Chiswick Pier Trust on the 1st floor of the Pier House. (Note: this is based on data from the Proudman Laboratory, which differs slightly from the above figures. Tidal prediction is not an exact science!)

2. Tidal predictions are also available online at the web site of the Port of London Authority and via the Tide Predictor links on the Chiswick Pier Trust’s Useful Links page.

3. The PLA site also provides live information of the actual tide height compared to the prediction. If you are interested in a particular tide, it is worth checking the Tide Gauge for Tower Pier. You will see a number of “metres from prediction”, showing how much higher the actual level is (or lower if the amount is negative), normally not more than + or - 0.5 metre. If the level is more than about 1 metre below prediction, this probably means that the Thames Barrier has been closed for our protection. You can also check on the water level at Richmond Lock which gives a good indication of the strength of the river flow over Teddington Weir.

4. This information has been provided by Richard Jennings. He has full details of all high and low tides for Chiswick, and is willing to provide further information or answer queries. To contact him, email rjtides1230@blue yonder.co.uk.