Text and photographs copyright of Jim Shead.
Description:
A network of waterways, primarily used for land drainage, between the Rivers Nene and Great Ouse.History:
Promoted by Acts of 1753, 1793, 1810, 1844, 1848, 1852, 1862 and 1874.Subordinate Waterways:
Navigation Authority:
: Middle Level Commissioners, Dartford Road, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 8AF : Telephone 01354 653232 :Related Articles
Related Books
Fenland River by Rodney Tibbs , 128 pages, Published by Terrence Dalton Ltd 1969 The Story of the Great Ouse and its Tributaries. Maps and 75 plates
Fenland Rivers by Iris Wedgewood , Edition: 1st edition 164 pages, Published by Rich & Cowan 1936 Impressions of the Fen Country. 4 double page maps and 48 colour plates by Henry Rushbury R.A.
Fenland Barge Traffic by J K Wilson & Alan H Faulkner , Edition: 1st edition 32 pages, Published by Robert Wilson 1972 Based on a thesis by J K Wilson. Includes photographs and maps.
The Fens by Alan Bloom , Published by Robert Hale 1953
The Draining of the Fens by H C Darby , Published by Cambridge University Press 1968
Fenland by Sir H Goodwin , Published by Cambridge University Press 1978
Vermuyden and the Fens by L E Harris , Published by Cleaver Hume Press 1953
The Fenland by A K Parker & D Pye , Published by David & Charles 1976
Portrait of the Fen Country by E Storey , Published by Robert Hale 1971
A History of the Fens by J Wentworth-Day , Published by George G Harrap & Co. 1954
A Bit More Boating by Shirley Ginger , ISBN 0-9519198-1-4 :180 pages, Published by Lucifer Press 1992 Account of cruising the Nene, Middle Level, Grand Union, Thames, Oxford, BCN and Stratford waterways. Order now from Lord Orford's Voyage round the Fens in 1774 by H J K Jenkins , Edition: 2nd rev edition ISBN 1 870724 43 7 :64 pages, Published by Cambridgeshire Libraries Publications June 1993 Three contempory accounts of the voyage by Mr Thomas Roberts, Mr Geo. Farrington and Lord Orford. Introduction by H J K Jenkins. Order now from Branch Line to Upwell - including the Wisbech Canal by Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith , ISBN 1 873793 64 2 :96 pages, Published by Middleton Press 1995 Order now from The Canals of Eastern England by John Boyes & Ronald Russell , ISBN 0 7153 7415 X :368 pages, Published by David & Charles 1 1977 Order now from Fenland Waterways by Andrew Hunter Blair , ISBN 0 85288 759 0 :55 pages, Published by Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson 2004 A guide book to the Middle Level Waterways with maps and full commentary. Order now from 
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Related External Web Sites
Description:
Runs 3½ miles from Yaxley to Mere Mouth, where it joins the Old River Nene and Bevill's Leam.Waterway Group:
This waterway is part of the Middle Level NavigationNavigation Authority:
: Middle Level Commissioners, Dartford Road, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 8AF : Telephone 01354 653232 :Related Books
The Canals of Eastern England by John Boyes & Ronald Russell , ISBN 0 7153 7415 X :368 pages, Published by David & Charles 1 1977 Order now from .
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Middle Level - Black Ham Drain: Table of distances |
Miles |
Locks |
Navigable (N) |
||||
|
Junctions with Middle Level - Bevill's Leam and Middle Level - Old River Nene |
0.0 |
0 |
N |
TL242910 |
142 |
||
|
Yaxley Railway Bridge |
Main line railway bridge three-quarters of a mile from Yaxley village. |
3.6 |
0 |
N |
TL195915 |
142 |
|
NOTE: N and U in the Navigable column above indicates that the node is navigable or unnavigable. If a D appears here it means that navigation is difficult or restricted to smaller craft.
Description:
Runs 5 miles, from Angle Corner, the junction with Whittlesey Dyke and the Twenty-foot River, to Mere Mouth where it joins the Old River Nene and Black Ham Drain.Points of Interest:
The navigation is now blocked by Bevill's Leam Pumping Station.Waterway Group:
This waterway is part of the Middle Level NavigationNavigation Authority:
: Middle Level Commissioners, Dartford Road, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 8AF : Telephone 01354 653232 :Related Books
The Canals of Eastern England by John Boyes & Ronald Russell , ISBN 0 7153 7415 X :368 pages, Published by David & Charles 1 1977 Order now from .
|
Middle Level - Bevill's Leam: Table of distances |
Miles |
Locks |
Navigable (N) |
||||
|
Junctions with Middle Level - Whittlesey Dyke and Middle Level - Twenty Foot River |
0.0 |
0 |
N |
TL308955 |
142 |
||
|
Chapelbridge |
1.5 |
0 |
N |
TL288941 |
142 |
||
|
Pondersbridge |
3.6 |
0 |
N |
TL261921 |
142 |
||
|
Tebbits Bridge |
4.5 |
0 |
N |
TL249914 |
142 |
||
|
Bevill's Leam Pumping Station |
4.9 |
0 |
U |
TL246913 |
142 |
||
|
Junctions with Middle Level - Black Ham Drain and Middle Level - Old River Nene |
5.0 |
0 |
N |
TL242910 |
142 |
||
NOTE: N and U in the Navigable column above indicates that the node is navigable or unnavigable. If a D appears here it means that navigation is difficult or restricted to smaller craft.
Description:
Runs 2 miles from Popham's Eua to the aqueduct carrying Well Creek over the Middle Level Drain.Waterway Group:
This waterway is part of the Middle Level NavigationNavigation Authority:
: Middle Level Commissioners, Dartford Road, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 8AF : Telephone 01354 653232 :Related Books
The Canals of Eastern England by John Boyes & Ronald Russell , ISBN 0 7153 7415 X :368 pages, Published by David & Charles 1 1977 Order now from .
|
Middle Level Drain: Table of distances |
Miles |
Locks |
Navigable (N) |
||||
|
Popham's Eau |
No connection with Popham's Eau here. |
0.0 |
0 |
U |
TF508005 |
143 |
|
|
Pingle Bridge |
1.4 |
0 |
U |
TF524020 |
143 |
||
|
Well Creek Aqueduct |
2.0 |
0 |
U |
TF530028 |
143 |
||
NOTE: N and U in the Navigable column above indicates that the node is navigable or unnavigable. If a D appears here it means that navigation is difficult or restricted to smaller craft.
Description:
Vermuyden's Drain is another name for this waterway, which runs 10½ miles, from Wells Bridge, where it joins the Old River Nene, to Welches Dam Sluice, where it joins the Old Bedford River and Counter Wash Drain.Points of Interest:
The length between Horseway Lock and Welches Dam Lock is not normally navigable due to low water levels. Special arrangements must be made to navigate this section.Waterway Group:
This waterway is part of the Middle Level NavigationNavigation Authority:
: Middle Level Commissioners, Dartford Road, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 8AF : Telephone 01354 653232 :Related Books
The Canals of Eastern England by John Boyes & Ronald Russell , ISBN 0 7153 7415 X :368 pages, Published by David & Charles 1 1977 Order now from .
Related Cruising Logs
Lock Sizes and maximum craft dimensions:
Horseway Lock: Length 60 foot, beam 11 foot. Welches Dam Lock: Length 47 foot, beam 11 foot. NOTE: For more details of maximum lock and craft sizes and the basis of these figures see Craft and Lock Sizes Page
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Middle Level - Forty Foot River: Table of distances |
Miles |
Locks |
Navigable (N) |
||||
|
Junction with Middle Level - Old River Nene |
0.0 |
0 |
N |
TL299881 |
142 |
||
|
Forty Foot Bridge |
.5 |
0 |
N |
TL307881 |
142 |
||
|
Puddock Bridge |
3.3 |
0 |
N |
TL350880 |
142 |
||
|
Leonard Child's Bridge |
5.3 |
0 |
N |
TL383885 |
142 |
||
|
Chatteris Road Bridge |
A141 road bridge |
6.0 |
0 |
N |
TL394882 |
142 |
|
|
Junction with Middle Level - Sixteen Foot River |
7.8 |
0 |
N |
TL421873 |
143 |
||
|
Horseway Village Bridge |
B1098 road bridge |
8.1 |
0 |
N |
TL426872 |
143 |
|
|
Horseway Sluice |
8.5 |
1 |
N |
TL435869 |
143 |
||
|
Welches Dam Sluice |
Junction with the Old Bedford River and Counter Wash Drain |
10.0 |
2 |
N |
TL479858 |
143 |
|
NOTE: N and U in the Navigable column above indicates that the node is navigable or unnavigable. If a D appears here it means that navigation is difficult or restricted to smaller craft.
Description:
Runs four and a quarter miles, from the River Nene to the junction with Whittlesey Dyke.Waterway Group:
This waterway is part of the Middle Level NavigationNavigation Authority:
: Middle Level Commissioners, Dartford Road, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 8AF : Telephone 01354 653232 :Related Articles
Related Books
The Canals of Eastern England by John Boyes & Ronald Russell , ISBN 0 7153 7415 X :368 pages, Published by David & Charles 1 1977 Order now from .
Related Photographs
Lock Sizes and maximum craft dimensions:
Stanground Lock: Length 80 foot, beam 11 foot 6 inches. NOTE: For more details of maximum lock and craft sizes and the basis of these figures see Craft and Lock Sizes Page
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Middle Level - King's Dyke: Table of distances |
Miles |
Locks |
Navigable (N) |
||||
|
Junction with River Nene Stanground Branch |
0.0 |
1 |
D |
TL208973 |
142 |
||
|
Farcet River |
Junction with un-navigable river. |
1.0 |
1 |
N |
TL222963 |
142 |
|
|
Fields End Bridge |
A605 road bridge |
2.3 |
1 |
N |
TL237967 |
142 |
|
|
Junction with Middle Level - Whittlesey Dyke |
4.3 |
1 |
N |
TL267968 |
142 |
||
NOTE: N and U in the Navigable column above indicates that the node is navigable or unnavigable. If a D appears here it means that navigation is difficult or restricted to smaller craft.
Description:
Runs three and a quarter miles from Holme Village to Nightingale Corner, where it joins the Old River Nene.Waterway Group:
This waterway is part of the Middle Level NavigationNavigation Authority:
: Middle Level Commissioners, Dartford Road, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 8AF : Telephone 01354 653232 :Related Books
The Canals of Eastern England by John Boyes & Ronald Russell , ISBN 0 7153 7415 X :368 pages, Published by David & Charles 1 1977 Order now from .
Related Photographs
Related Cruising Logs
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Middle Level - New Dyke: Table of distances |
Miles |
Locks |
Navigable (N) |
||||
|
Junction with Middle Level - Old River Nene |
0.0 |
0 |
N |
TL241875 |
142 |
||
|
Holme Village |
3.3 |
0 |
N |
TL206869 |
142 |
||
NOTE: N and U in the Navigable column above indicates that the node is navigable or unnavigable. If a D appears here it means that navigation is difficult or restricted to smaller craft.
Description:
Runs 26 miles from Mere Mouth, where it joins Bevill's Leam and Black Ham Drain, to Outwell, the junction with Well Creek.Waterway Group:
This waterway is part of the Middle Level NavigationNavigation Authority:
: Middle Level Commissioners, Dartford Road, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 8AF : Telephone 01354 653232 :Related Articles
Related Books
The Canals of Eastern England by John Boyes & Ronald Russell , ISBN 0 7153 7415 X :368 pages, Published by David & Charles 1 1977 Order now from .
Related Photographs
Related Cruising Logs
Other Related Pages
Lock Sizes and maximum craft dimensions:
Marmont Priory Lock: Length 92 foot, beam 12 foot. NOTE: For more details of maximum lock and craft sizes and the basis of these figures see Craft and Lock Sizes Page
|
Middle Level - Old River Nene: Table of distances |
Miles |
Locks |
Navigable (N) |
||||
|
Junctions with Middle Level - Bevill's Leam and Middle Level - Black Ham Drain |
0.0 |
0 |
N |
TL242910 |
142 |
||
|
Exhibition Bridge |
B660 road bridge |
2.5 |
0 |
N |
TL243882 |
142 |
|
|
Junction with Middle Level - New Dyke |
2.8 |
0 |
N |
TL241875 |
142 |
||
|
St Mary's Bridge |
B1040 road bridge and Ramsey St Mary's Village |
3.5 |
0 |
N |
TL255873 |
142 |
|
|
Lodes End Lock |
5.8 |
1 |
N |
TL287873 |
142 |
||
|
Junction with Middle Level - Ramsey High Lode |
5.8 |
1 |
N |
TL288874 |
142 |
||
|
Junction with Middle Level - Forty Foot River |
6.6 |
1 |
N |
TL299881 |
142 |
||
|
Benwick Bridge |
B1093 road bridge and Benwick Village |
10.6 |
1 |
N |
TL342907 |
142 |
|
|
Junction with Middle Level - Whittlesey Dyke |
13.3 |
1 |
N |
TL355936 |
142 |
||
|
Staffurth's Bridge |
14.3 |
1 |
N |
TL367944 |
142 |
||
|
March |
B1101 road bridge |
18.3 |
1 |
N |
TL416967 |
143 |
|
|
Junction with Middle Level - Twenty Foot River |
20.4 |
1 |
N |
TL445986 |
143 |
||
|
Junction with Middle Level - Popham's Eau |
22.4 |
1 |
N |
TF469004 |
143 |
||
|
Marmont Priory Sluice |
24.1 |
2 |
N |
TF488013 |
143 |
||
|
Upwell |
25.4 |
2 |
N |
TF499024 |
143 |
||
|
Junction with Middle Level - Well Creek |
26.1 |
2 |
N |
TF513037 |
143 |
||
NOTE: N and U in the Navigable column above indicates that the node is navigable or unnavigable. If a D appears here it means that navigation is difficult or restricted to smaller craft.
Description:
Runs 2½ miles from the Middle Level Drain, although there is no connection at this point, to Popham's Eau End, where it joins the Old River Nene.Waterway Group:
This waterway is part of the Middle Level NavigationNavigation Authority:
: Middle Level Commissioners, Dartford Road, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 8AF : Telephone 01354 653232 :Related Books
The Canals of Eastern England by John Boyes & Ronald Russell , ISBN 0 7153 7415 X :368 pages, Published by David & Charles 1 1977 Order now from .
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Middle Level - Popham's Eau: Table of distances |
Miles |
Locks |
Navigable (N) |
||||
|
Junction with Middle Level - Old River Nene |
0.0 |
0 |
N |
TF468003 |
143 |
||
|
Junction with Middle Level - Sixteen Foot River |
2.3 |
0 |
N |
TF505002 |
143 |
||
|
Middle Level Drain |
No connection with the Middle Level Drain at this point. End of navigation. |
2.5 |
0 |
N |
TF508005 |
143 |
|
NOTE: N and U in the Navigable column above indicates that the node is navigable or unnavigable. If a D appears here it means that navigation is difficult or restricted to smaller craft.
Description:
Runs just over a mile from Ramsey to Saunder's Bridge, where it joins the Old River Nene.Waterway Group:
This waterway is part of the Middle Level NavigationNavigation Authority:
: Middle Level Commissioners, Dartford Road, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 8AF : Telephone 01354 653232 :Related Books
The Canals of Eastern England by John Boyes & Ronald Russell , ISBN 0 7153 7415 X :368 pages, Published by David & Charles 1 1977 Order now from .
Related External Web Sites
Related Cruising Logs
Other Related Pages
|
Middle Level - Ramsey High Lode: Table of distances |
Miles |
Locks |
Navigable (N) |
||||
|
Junction with Middle Level - Old River Nene |
0.0 |
0 |
N |
TL287873 |
142 |
||
|
Ramsey |
1.1 |
0 |
N |
TL284857 |
142 |
||
NOTE: N and U in the Navigable column above indicates that the node is navigable or unnavigable. If a D appears here it means that navigation is difficult or restricted to smaller craft.
Description:
Runs 9.6 miles, from Three Holes Bridge, where it joins Popham's Eau, to Sixteen Foot Corner, where it joins the Forty Foot River.Waterway Group:
This waterway is part of the Middle Level NavigationNavigation Authority:
: Middle Level Commissioners, Dartford Road, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 8AF : Telephone 01354 653232 :Related Books
The Canals of Eastern England by John Boyes & Ronald Russell , ISBN 0 7153 7415 X :368 pages, Published by David & Charles 1 1977 Order now from .
|
Middle Level - Sixteen Foot River: Table of distances |
Miles |
Locks |
Navigable (N) |
||||
|
Junction with Middle Level - Popham's Eau |
0.0 |
0 |
N |
TF505002 |
143 |
||
|
Cotton's Corner |
.8 |
0 |
N |
TL496994 |
143 |
||
|
Bedlam Bridge |
4.1 |
0 |
N |
TL468947 |
143 |
||
|
Stonea Railway Bridge |
5.1 |
0 |
N |
TL459933 |
143 |
||
|
Boots Bridge |
6.8 |
0 |
N |
TL445911 |
143 |
||
|
Junction with Middle Level - Forty Foot River |
9.6 |
0 |
N |
TL421873 |
143 |
||
NOTE: N and U in the Navigable column above indicates that the node is navigable or unnavigable. If a D appears here it means that navigation is difficult or restricted to smaller craft.
Description:
Runs just over 10 miles, from Angle Corner, where it joins Bevill's Leam and Whittlesey Dyke, to Twenty Foot End, where it joins the Old River Nene.Waterway Group:
This waterway is part of the Middle Level NavigationNavigation Authority:
: Middle Level Commissioners, Dartford Road, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 8AF : Telephone 01354 653232 :Related Articles
Related Books
The Canals of Eastern England by John Boyes & Ronald Russell , ISBN 0 7153 7415 X :368 pages, Published by David & Charles 1 1977 Order now from .
|
Middle Level - Twenty Foot River: Table of distances |
Miles |
Locks |
Navigable (N) |
||||
|
Junctions with Middle Level - Whittlesey Dyke and Middle Level - Bevill's Leam |
0.0 |
0 |
N |
TL308956 |
142 |
||
|
Poplar Tree Bridge |
.6 |
0 |
N |
TL315961 |
142 |
||
|
Beggars Bridge |
1.3 |
0 |
N |
TL324968 |
142 |
||
|
Holloway's Farm Bridge |
3.9 |
0 |
N |
TL351989 |
142 |
||
|
Goosetree Farm |
5.8 |
0 |
N |
TF378011 |
143 |
||
|
Lots Bridge |
Hobb's Bridge |
6.8 |
0 |
N |
TF396011 |
143 |
|
|
Junction with Middle Level - Old River Nene |
10.4 |
0 |
N |
TL445986 |
143 |
||
NOTE: N and U in the Navigable column above indicates that the node is navigable or unnavigable. If a D appears here it means that navigation is difficult or restricted to smaller craft.
Description:
Runs almost 5.4 miles from Outwell Junction, where it joins the Old River Nene, to Salter's Sluice, where it joins the River Ouse.Waterway Group:
This waterway is part of the Middle Level NavigationNavigation Authority:
: Middle Level Commissioners, Dartford Road, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 8AF : Telephone 01354 653232 :
Upwell, Well Creek
Related Articles
Related Books
Branch Line to Upwell - including the Wisbech Canal by Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith , ISBN 1 873793 64 2 :96 pages, Published by Middleton Press 1995 Order now from The Canals of Eastern England by John Boyes & Ronald Russell , ISBN 0 7153 7415 X :368 pages, Published by David & Charles 1 1977 Order now from .
.
Related Photographs
Related Cruising Logs
Other Related Pages
Lock Sizes and maximum craft dimensions:
Salters Lode Lock: Length 62 foot, beam 12 foot 6 inches. Note it is possible for longer boats to pass through this lock in favourable states of the tide. NOTE: For more details of maximum lock and craft sizes and the basis of these figures see Craft and Lock Sizes Page
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Middle Level - Well Creek: Table of distances |
Miles |
Locks |
Navigable (N) |
||||
|
Junction with Middle Level - Old River Nene |
0.0 |
0 |
N |
TF513037 |
143 |
||
|
Middle Level Drain Aqueduct |
1.3 |
0 |
N |
TF531028 |
143 |
||
|
Nordelph |
3.4 |
0 |
N |
TF555010 |
143 |
||
|
Junctions with River Great Ouse and Old Bedford River |
5.4 |
1 |
N |
TF586016 |
143 |
||
NOTE: N and U in the Navigable column above indicates that the node is navigable or unnavigable. If a D appears here it means that navigation is difficult or restricted to smaller craft.
Description:
Runs 6 miles, from the junction with the King's Dyke at Whittlesey, to the junction with the Old River Nene.Waterway Group:
This waterway is part of the Middle Level NavigationNavigation Authority:
: Middle Level Commissioners, Dartford Road, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 8AF : Telephone 01354 653232 :Related Articles
Related Books
The Canals of Eastern England by John Boyes & Ronald Russell , ISBN 0 7153 7415 X :368 pages, Published by David & Charles 1 1977 Order now from .
Related Photographs
Related Cruising Logs
Other Related Pages
Lock Sizes and maximum craft dimensions:
Ashline Lock: Length 80 foot, beam 11 foot 6 inches. NOTE: For more details of maximum lock and craft sizes and the basis of these figures see Craft and Lock Sizes Page
|
Middle Level - Whittlesey Dyke: Table of distances |
Miles |
Locks |
Navigable (N) |
||||
|
Junction with Middle Level - King's Dyke |
0.0 |
0 |
N |
TL267968 |
142 |
||
|
Ashline Sluice |
.5 |
1 |
N |
TL272964 |
142 |
||
|
Junctions with Middle Level - Bevill's Leam and Middle Level - Twenty Foot River |
2.8 |
1 |
N |
TL308956 |
142 |
||
|
Junction with Middle Level - Old River Nene |
6.1 |
1 |
N |
TL356936 |
142 |
||
NOTE: N and U in the Navigable column above indicates that the node is navigable or unnavigable. If a D appears here it means that navigation is difficult or restricted to smaller craft.
Text and photographs copyright of Jim Shead. |
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