Page updated 20 May 2005
Navigation of The Middle Level
Read this page in combination with the Recommended Route and Map.
NAVIGATION NOTES - 2005
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The network of fenland waterways, which provide arterial drainage and flood protection to 700sq.km. of highly productive fen farmland and a large number of commercial and domestic properties and constitutes a navigable system between the rivers Great Ouse and Nene (see map on pages 4/5), is maintained by the Middle Level Commissioners.
The cost of the continual maintenance of the channels is met primarily out of drainage rates and special levies. No charges are levied on pleasure boats at present. The name of each boat should, nonetheless, be clearly shown and visitors are required to register with the lock-keepers at Stanground and Salters Lode, when entering the system. The majority of boat-owners entering the Middle Level do so to gain access between its neighbouring major river systems. To avoid shallows or low bridges, the Commissioners request the co-operation of those persons navigating through the system by adhering to the recommended 'Link-Route' indicated on the map.
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A maximum speed limit of 5mph is operated throughout the system with the exceptions of King's Dyke (Stanground Lock to Ashline Lock), Whittlesey Dyke (Ashline Lock to Turningtree Bridge) and Well Creek (Marmont Priory Lock to Salters Lode Lock), where the maximum speed limit is 4mph.
Speed must be further reduced in the interests of safety, to avoid wash, when passing through areas of riverside development, congested areas or by moored boats.
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The Middle Level Byelaws require that :-
- no refuse shall be thrown overboard into the river or deposited on the adjacent banks
- boats shall be properly moored and secured so as not to impede or endanger the passage of other craft (mooring two or more abreast is forbidden)
- sunken boats must be removed by the owner failing which the Commissioners may do so at the owner's expense
- moorings are not constructed on any Middle Level watercourse without the Commissioners’ prior approval and written consent
- digging into the banks of a Middle Level watercourse is prohibited
- craft shall meet the requirements of the Boat Safety Scheme
Boat movements during the hours of darkness are prohibited.
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Excepting for public highways and any public open spaces, ALL lands adjoining Middle Level river banks are private property, and the normal laws of trespass apply to such property. There are public rights of way along some banks. In particular, it must be noted that apart from designated public moorings, mooring is not allowed without the permission of the owner of the mooring rights. It is the responsibility of boat users to ensure that they have the right to moor at any location.
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The Middle Level waters contain a valuable coarse fishery, which is intensively used between mid-June and mid-March. Boat users are requested to afford the usual courtesy to anglers, who will be encountered in greatest numbers on Saturdays and Sundays during the fishing season.
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Aquatic weeds occur throughout most of the system during the summer period and ropes may be placed (floated) across the rivers to collect cut weeds. If these are encountered, they must be removed before passing and carefully and securely replaced afterwards.
The banks of certain watercourses are subject to erosion. Piles and other revetment works are installed to provide support and protection. These and shallows elsewhere may make navigation difficult. Care should, therefore, be taken when approaching or travelling close to the river edges to avoid any submerged hazards.
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Boat users are advised to avoid the Main Drain, which is navigable only as far as the Well Creek Aqueduct at Mullicourt Priory, and Old Pophams Eau, which is a dead-end spur north of Three Holes Bridge, as conditions there can be hazardous due to sudden pumping or sluicing operations.
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Rainfall (flood events), pumping, water transfer in summer and wind can affect water levels. They can thus also affect depth of water and headrooms and special care/allowance should be taken when making passages with craft requiring maximum headroom, draught or length (for turning).
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Minimum navigation headrooms referred to in these notes are for guidance only as they are based on headroom available when water is at an average summer level and can often be reduced – see Note 8 above. Minimum headrooms under the low bridges indicated on the map at average summer water levels are :-
i) Infields Bridge - 1600mm (5'-3") approximately ii) Ramsey Hollow Bridge - 1630mm (5'-4") approximately iii) Exhibition Bridge - 1500mm (5'-0") approximately Adequate clearance should be checked before passing under all bridges. It is the navigator's responsibility to ensure that such clearance is available.
A number of both publicly and privately maintained structures affect or cross the Middle Level navigations. It is the responsibility of boat users to take all reasonable steps to ensure that their vessel can safely navigate round or through such structures and to assess any risks involved before doing so. The Commissioners should be informed of any structures which appear to present a hazard to navigation.
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Lodes End Lock is unattended. It will accommodate boats up to 20.70m (68'-0") long.
Boats in the lock must be kept clear of the low-side penstock access walkway to avoid entrapment when the water level is raised.
It is necessary to open the security fence gate to navigate the lock. (see Note 15 - Keys)
Before leaving the lock please ensure that the penning sluices are fully closed, the security fence gate is locked and the chain between the large V-doors is in place. The chain must be secured by the large end link to the spring loaded catch in the other door and left loose (not wrapped round the door posts) so that the doors can open the full length of the chain to permit gravity drainage when conditions allow.
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The turning area at Ramsey will normally accommodate boats up to 18.30m (60'-0") long. (see Note 8).
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During the winter period and when conditions allow, ice-skating on Well Creek is a traditional local sport, which attracts many people to the area. Disturbance of the ice, while it is forming, results in an uneven surface unsuitable for skating. Boat movements at these times are, therefore, frowned upon locally and should be avoided.
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Dimensions of locks and structures on the 'Link-Route' are described in the following 'Recommended Route between the Rivers Nene and Great Ouse'.
Stanground Lock is closed after 1500hrs on Sundays. Salters Lode Lock is normally closed on Christmas Day and Wednesdays during November, December, January, and February and for the first week of March.
Various parts of the system are closed for maintenance work up to 5 April 2004. Details may be obtained from the March Office.
An 'Ouse Key' (see Note 15 - Keys) is required to operate the paddles/penstocks at Ashline, Marmont Priory (if the lock-keeper is not available), Lodes End and Horseway locks.
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Pump-out and chemical toilet emptying facilities are maintained by Fenland District Council at the March Sanitation Station, which is situated on the site of the old quay adjacent to the Town Bridge. The station is secured (see Note 15 - Keys). Any malfunction should be notified to the Council by phoning 01354-654535 (24 hours).
Polluting matter must not be discharged into the waterways from any vessels or sanitary appliance thereon.
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Keys :-
A key, which will give access to both the March Sanitation Station and Lodes End Lock Security Compound, can be purchased (price £2.00) at :-
- Stanground Lock
- Salters Lode Lock
- Middle Level Offices, Dartford Road, March
- C.J. Fox, Boat Builders & Hirers, 10 Marina Drive, March (Marina off Old River Nene)
- Bill Fen Marina, Mill Drove, Ramsey, Huntingdon (Marina off Ramsey High Lode)
An 'Ouse Key' can usually also be purchased at the locks and marinas.
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It is the Commissioners' policy that any stoppage to navigation, to accommodate routine planned work, either to one of their waterways, locks or structures, should generally be no longer than four weeks and restricted to November to mid-March (excluding Christmas/New Year) period. Emergency or other work that needs to be carried out during low flows or cannot be completed in that time span, would be the exception. Salters Lode Lock will be closed at the beginning of the year- see Note 13.
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Ladders and chains are provided to assist boaters when passing through locks. Their use, together with any other directions that may be signed, is recommended.