GoingDown
the dr ains
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or those looking for something different why not try going down the Drains? As the name implies this 56-mile network of waterways was cut to drain the fenland to the north west of the market town and port of Boston. Early records show that as early as 1568 the Maud Foster Drain, named after the land owner through which it passed, was built to drain the fens to the north of the town. Later in 1631 it was enlarged to provide “a great navigable stream three miles long” that discharged through a sluice and lock into the Tidal Haven. Coastal sailing craft entered the town via this route and later passenger “Packet Boats” journeyed to Lincoln and London. Of the seven locks built into the system, only two are presently usable - Anton’s Gowt and Cow Bridge. Maud Foster and Hobhole locks were turned into sluices in the 1940s, a lock at Lade Bank was demolished to build a pumping station and another, East Fen, connecting the Hob Hole to Cow Bridge Drain, was in-filled as a golf tee. Hagnaby Lock survives but is gateless. Anton’s Gowt Lock, some three miles east of Boston is, maintained by the River Witham navigation authority, BW (C&RT), and is the entrance to the system and boater operated. It can accommodate craft up to 72ft long by 18ft wide. There are no boater facilities, mooring is “bankside” and no extra licences are required. At the entrance, pontoon landings have been installed and new tail gates have been fitted to the lock. The nearby Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership “Water Rail Way” long distance path between Lincoln and Boston provides easy access for cyclists into town.
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| IWA waterways - Summer 2012
Boston Stump.
Two authorities control the Navigable Drains. The Witham Fourth I.D.B. (telephone 01502 310099) extend from Anton`s Gowt to Cow Bridge Lock. Their main function is land drainage but from May to September inclusive the water is maintained at a higher level for irrigation and leisure purposes. It is advisable to let them know, during office hours, of your presence, should they have to alter water levels that could affect navigation.. It is also advisable to check the water levels before leaving Anton’s Gowt Lock on the depth board on the tail wing wall, best seen from the road in front of the Malcolm Arms pub. On the map the bridge clearance heights shown are at 0 on the board and allowances should be made for other readings. No height shown on the map indicates an excess of 6ft clearance. For quiet, in town moorings, turn right along the Frith Bank Drain to Cow Bridge Lock, using the mooring rings under the road bridge climb the bank to cross the road and set the lock. The mitre gates have no balance beams, due to their proximity to the private bridge, but use the chains to open them and a long shaft to close them. The dimensions of this lock are 71ft x 10ft 9in and, as with a number of other fenland locks, has a flat timber bottom with the stone sided chamber sat on it.
Rutty at flickr com CC-BY-SA
IWA Lincolnshire Branch’s Dave Carnell recommends the Witham Navigable Drains for a quiet cruise...