The decline of heavy industry and tanneries, reduced use of oil-pollutants and improved sewage

treatment have led to much better water quality compared to the late 19th and early- to mid-20th
centuries and aquatic life has returned to its formerly 'dead' stretches.
Alongside the entire river runs the Thames Path, a National Route for walkers and cyclists.
In the early 1980s a pioneering flood control device, the Thames Barrier, was opened. It is closed
to tides several times a year to prevent water damage to London's low-lying areas upstream
(the 1928 Thames flood demonstrated the severity of this type of event).
In the late 1990s, the 7-mile (11 km) long Jubilee River was built as a wide "naturalistic" flood
relief channel from Taplow to Eton to help reduce the flood risk in Maidenhead, Windsor and
Eton,[54] although it appears to have increased flooding in the villages immediately downstream.

21st century[edit]
In 2010, the Thames won the largest environmental award in the world – the $350,000
International Riverprize.[55]

The active river[edit]

Houseboats on the River Thames, in the St Margaret's, Twickenham district

One of the major resources provided by the Thames is the water distributed as drinking water
by Thames Water, whose area of responsibility covers the length of the River Thames.
The Thames Water Ring Main is the main distribution mechanism for water in London, with one
major loop linking the Hampton, Walton, Ashford and Kempton Park Water Treatment Works with
central London.
In the past, commercial activities on the Thames included fishing (particularly eel
trapping), coppicing willows and osiers which provided wood, and the operation of watermills for
flour and paper production and metal beating. These activities have disappeared. A screw
turbine hydro-electric plant at Romney Lock to power Windsor Castle using two Archimedes'
screws was opened in 2013 by the Queen.[56] This followed the first installation of such a screw
at Mapledurham Watermill in 2011.[57]
The Thames is popular for a wide variety of riverside housing, including high-rise flats in central
London and chalets on the banks and islands upstream. Some people live in houseboats,
typically around Brentford and Tagg's Island.

Transport and tourism[edit]

The tidal river[edit]
Main article: London River Services
Passenger service on the River Thames

In London there are many sightseeing tours in tourist boats, past the more famous riverside
attractions such as the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London as well as regular
riverboat services co-ordinated by London River Services. London city Airport is situated on the
Thames, in East London. Previously it was a dock.
The upper river[edit]
In summer, passenger services operate along the entire non-tidal river from Oxford to
Teddington. The two largest operators are Salters Steamers and French Brothers. Salters
operate services between Folly Bridge, Oxford and Staines. The whole journey takes four days
and requires several changes of boat. [58] French Brothers operate passenger services between
Maidenhead and Hampton Court.[59] Along the course of the river a number of smaller private
companies also offer river trips at Oxford, Wallingford, Reading and Hampton Court. [60] Many
companies also provide boat hire on the river.
The leisure navigation and sporting activities on the river have given rise to a number of
businesses including boatbuilding, marinas, ships chandlers and salvage services.

Ferries operating on the Thames

Cable car[edit]

London's Air Line over the River Thames

The Air Line cable car over the Thames from the Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Docks has
been in operation since the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Police and lifeboats[edit]

The river is policed by five police forces. The Thames Division is the River Police arm of
London's Metropolitan Police, while Surrey Police, Thames Valley Police, Essex Police and Kent
Police have responsibilities on their parts of the river outside the metropolitan area. There is also
a London Fire Brigade fire boat on the river. The river claims a number of lives each year. [61]
As a result of the Marchioness disaster in 1989 when 51 people died, the Government asked
the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Port of London Authority and the Royal National
Lifeboa