Page published 3 June 2003
Navigation of The Middle Level
Read this page in combination with the General Information and Map.
RECOMMENDED LINK ROUTE BETWEEN RIVERS NENE AND GREAT OUSE
Total Distance = 45.8 km (28.5 miles)
| STANGROUND LOCK | Length 24.40m (80'-0") Width 3.50m (11'-6") |
Keeper Mr. A. Rootham Tel. Peterborough (01733) 566413. Maximum draught of boats larger than 11m (36'-0") long not to exceed 690mm (2'-3") Closed after 1500hrs on Sundays (see Navigation Note 13). Telephone lock-keeper beforehand and do not enter lock without keeper in attendance. See Special Note 'A' |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
| King's Dyke | 8 bridges; min. headroom approx. 2.10m (7'-0") |
Water level may be below navigation level; 24 hours notice to Stanground lock-keeper will avoid possibility of delays while the water level is being adjusted.
N.B. Restricted length and sharp bend through Briggate, Whittlesey. Width between walls 4.27m (14'-0"). Approach bend slowly and put ashore look-out to watch for oncoming boats while negotiating bend. Narrow boats up to 21.3m (70'-0") long have nevertheless negotiated King's Dyke to Ashline Lock, where there is a landing stage for visitors to Whittlesey (36hr limit) and a turning bay. Turning Facilities/Limits (approximate maximum dimensions)
Whittlesey : Population 12,100, Shops, Fuel, Leisure Centre. |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
| ASHLINE LOCK | Length 27.40m (90'-0") Width 3.50m (11'-6") |
UNATTENDED.
Boats in the lock must be held at least 1.0m (3'-3") clear of the upstream doors to avoid fouling the sill as the water level is lowered and well away from the downstream doors to avoid entrapment beneath the penstock access walkway when the water level is raised. Ensure that the lock doors and penstocks are properly closed after use. Leakage could rapidly lower the water level in King's Dyke and considerable difficulty could be experienced in restoring a satisfactory navigation level. In the event of problems contact Stanground Lock-keeper or, if unobtainable, the Middle Level Office. |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
| Whittlesey Dyke | 7 bridges; min. headroom approx. 2.10m (7'-0") |
Main drainage channel.
Lowest bridge is Burnt House Bridge. |
|||||||||
| Old River Nene: Floods Ferry to Marmont Priory | 3 bridges; ample headroom. |
River is wide and deep from Floods Ferry to March and from March to Pophams Eau, but the sections through March Town and from Pophams Eau to Marmont Priory Lock are relatively shallow and should be navigated with care.
March : Population 18,500. Middle Level Offices, Fox's Boatyard, Moorings, Shops, Fuel, Sanitation Station, Leisure Centre. Photograph of moorings adjacent March Town Bridge. |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
| MARMONT PRIORY LOCK | Length 28.00m (92'-0") Width 3.65m (12'-0") |
Lock-keeper Mrs. M. Norton. Tel. Wisbech (01945) 773959.
See Special Note 'B'. Ensure that the lock doors and penstocks are properly closed after use. Leakage can rapidly lower the water level in Well Creek and it can sometimes take several days to restore a satisfactory navigation level. To assist in maintaining adequate water in the Creek "double up" where possible when negotiating the lock. A phone call to the lock keeper in advance will assist in the making of suitable arrangements in this respect. |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
| Well Creek | 15 bridges; min. headroom approx. 2.10m (7'-0") |
Some sections of Well Creek in Upwell and Outwell are narrow and relatively shallow and should be navigated with care. Turning Facilities/Limits (approximate maximum dimensions)
Villages of Upwell, Outwell and Nordelph : Moorings, Shops, Fuel. Photograph shows a view of Well Creek in Upwell |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
| SALTERS LODE LOCK | Length 18.90m (62'-0") Width 3.80m (12'-6") |
Keeper Mr. P. Grodkiewicz. Tel. Downham Market (01366) 382292.
Locking through to tidal river for limited periods each side of high tide. Possible passage for craft up to length 24.30m (80') on level water (falling tide) or below, when tidal conditions allow. Telephone lock-keeper beforehand and do not enter lock without keeper in attendance. See Special Note 'A'. The lock will be closed for maintenance work between 6th January and 31st March 2003. (See also Navigation Note 13). |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
| River Great Ouse Salters Lode to Denver Sluice |
(Environment Agency) |
This river is tidal and the times that craft can enter or leave the Middle Level are restricted. Denver Sluice is half a mile upstream of Salters Lode Lock. There are moorings on both sides of the sluice.
The lock-keeper at Denver Sluice must be notified before making a passage between the two systems. Tel. Downham Market (01366) 382340. Special care should be taken entering and leaving Salters Lode Lock on the tidal side; inexperienced navigators should follow the instructions of the lock-keepers. |
|||||||||
| Special Notes :- | |
| 'A' - | Stanground and Salters Lode Locks serve dual roles as sluices as well as navigation locks. When the sluices are open dangerous undertows may be encountered in the pens. For this reason in particular, navigators must not enter these locks without the attendance of the lock-keepers. |
| 'B' - | Marmont Priory Lock may be negotiated unattended if the lock-keeper is not available. Special care must be exercised to ensure that the doors and penstocks are completely closed after use. This lock is similar to Ashline Lock and care must be taken to keep clear of the upstream sill and the downstream penstock access walkway. |
OLD BEDFORD RIVER
| OLD BEDFORD SLUICE | (Environment Agency) | To pass into the Old Bedford/Counter Drain system, contact must be made with the Salters Lode Lock-keeper, Mr. P. Grodkiewicz. Tel.Downham Market (01366) 382292. |
| WELCHES DAM LOCK |
(Environment Agency)
Length 14.30m (47'-0") |
This lock is to be used (self operated by users) only on specific weekends when access for navigation is arranged. Details may be obtained from the Inland Waterways Association or Environment Agency. Tel. Ely (01353) 666660. |
| HORSEWAY LOCK | Length 18.30m (60'-0") Width 3.65m (12'-0") |
This lock is to be used (self operated by users) in conjunction with Welches Dam Lock, only at specific weekends. See above.
Access through the Lock must only be made during daylight hours on the actual dates specified by the Environment Agency. |