The status below is the one published by the Walloon authorities. It results from the rules described further down: section, hours, closure days and flow.
- Official status
- Paddling allowed (since 27/10 at 11:28)
- Regulated stretch
- The Ambleve between the junction with the Warche and the bridge of Cheneux
- Reference gauge
- Stavelot
- Permitted range
- 1.0 – 21.0 m³/s
- 72-hour average
- 8.1 m³/s
The stretch concerned
The Coo trip is the part of the Amblève between downstream of its confluence with the Warche and the Cheneux bridge. The order classes it among the non-navigable waterways open all year (Annex 1.B). A second stretch of the same category runs from 200 m upstream of the Remouchamps bridge to the Sougné bridge. Further downstream, from Sougné to the confluence with the Ourthe, the Amblève is classed as navigable (Annex 1.A) and follows different hours.
This page covers the Coo trip. The thresholds and station quoted below do not apply to the other stretches: downstream of the Lorcé weir, for example, depends on the Martinrive station, with a range of 2.5 to 44 m³/s.
Station and thresholds
- Below the minimum, navigation is banned for the whole day. The authorities judge this threshold on the average of the last 72 hours, to protect the riverbed and the gravel where small fauna live.
- Above the maximum, it is banned for the day if the observed hourly flow exceeds it, or if the 8 a.m. forecast predicts it will be exceeded during the permitted hours.
- Inflatable boats seating 4 to 10 are allowed only if both the 72-hour average and the hourly flow exceed five times the minimum, that is 5 m³/s here.
Hours and closure days
| Period | Permitted hours |
|---|---|
| 1 October to 15 June | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| 16 June to 30 September | 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
Two days a year, the river is closed whatever the flow: the opening of trout fishing (third Saturday in March) and the general fishing opening (first Saturday in June). The next dates are 20 March 2027 and 5 June 2027. These closures do not apply to the navigable stretch downstream of Sougné.
Put-in, signage and prohibitions
- You launch and land only at the areas designated by the SPW, which are free for everyone to use. Portaging along the bank to get around an obstacle is tolerated.
- Standard signage, defined by the order, shows at each area whether navigation is possible.
- Allowed craft are kayaks and canoes seating up to three, inflatable boats seating up to ten and rafts of recognised youth organisations, all non-motorised.
- It is forbidden to enter a diversion channel or a mill race, and to camp or light a fire outside the designated areas.
- The minister may restrict navigation at any time, even if the flow is suitable, to protect nature or manage the river.
Equipment, enforcement and penalties
The order does not require a life jacket. The authorities consider it essential for children under 12 and recommend it for everyone; rental companies supply one and make you wear it fastened. The Amblève is a lively grade II-III river, and a helmet is recommended on the sporty sections. No details of enforcement or penalties are specified.
Legal basis
The reference text is the Walloon Government order of 19 March 2009 regulating navigation on and in watercourses: Annex 1 for the list of stretches, Annex 2 for flows, Annex 3 for signage, Article 4 for hours and Article 6 for the daily status. The framework common to all rivers is explained in navigable flows in Wallonia. For the stepped thresholds and equipment, see the Amblève water level.