Salters Lode - 2008

Up stream towards Denver

This article originally appeared in the spring 2007 edition of Steaming Up - but sadly the boats never reached the Fens due to extensive flooding disrupted plans and crew schedules. But this year, the plan is to try again, and trip schedules are elsewhere

Photos of the boats going through Salters Lode 28th June 2008

One of the most interesting parts of our East Anglian tour will be Salters Lode lock. We will be locking up from Well Creek on the Middle level Navigation to the Great Ouse. The lock has a maximum rise of 8 feet. The problem for us is that the lock is 62 ft by 12ft so we can’t breast up and there is no place at the top for “President” to wait for “Kildare”, to complicate matters the Great Ouse is tidal at that point and shallow at low tide!

The solution is to wait for a low rising tide when it is possible to open both gates at the same time and head off up stream. This relies on the correct amount of water out in the river, which silts up very easily especially when there is big tide. The Environment Agency has assured us that they will ensure it is dredged to the right depth for us. The planned passage date will be when the tide is right and is scheduled for 28th June at noon . It is though to some extent dependent upon the wind direction as well.

Link to Environment agency information leaflet