LOW water levels are leaving canal boats floundering in the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, it is said.
Reports given to the Colne Valley Society say many narrowboats are sailing into troubled waters on stretches in the area.
A society spokesman said one angry boatman had to make repeated SOS calls to British Waterways for help.
"This causes long delays and the boaters get very cross. I spoke to one who had spent all day getting from Aspley to Linthwaite.
"It seems to be a common happening and could hit tourism very badly," the spokesman added.
The society has asked British Waterways for an explanation of the inadequate water levels.
It says reservoirs built to serve the canal are well filled.
A British Waterways spokesman said it was well aware of the problem and was trying to solve it.
He said engineers were working hard to find a solution.
British Waterways has drawn up a five- year plan for improving facilities, such as mooring points, on the canal.
