Boaters’ Update 5 April 2024

Read on to find out how the network’s water resources are doing ahead of those warmer days, get an update on the embankment slip on the Oxford Canal, and find out how you can help us manage the self-seeding saplings that take root along the water’s edge.

After which you’ll be enticed by the winning charms of the Weaver Navigation and, less cheerily, find out the top ten boat parts most likely to give you grief. The ever-present round up of this weekend’s stoppages can also be found:

• Water levels ahead of summer cruising
• Easenhall Cutting slip underlines need for range of specialist technical support
• Sapling spotters and busters wanted!
• Maintenance, repair and restoration work affecting cruising this weekend
• Make the most of the Weaver
• What’s most likely to break on your boat?
• Bits & bobs

Happy boating, Damian

Water resources ahead of late spring and summer

We all know that there’s no such thing as a boating season – boaters are out on the network year-round. However, we all recognise that there are times of the year when the waterways are at their busiest. This uptick in on-the-water activity usually begins around Easter and it’ll steadily get busier until reaching a peak sometime in the summer.

This, then, seems a good time to look at how the network’s water resources are doing: the water that’ll be available to keep the canals topped-up throughout the summer. We’ve just published a comprehensive update for our northern canals so do have a read through if you’re planning a cruise.

You’re likely to have noticed that the last few months, relatively speaking, were particularly warm and wet. February was the warmest on record and, overall, the 2023/24 winter enters the top ten for both warmest and wettest ever recorded.

And, whilst winter rain is so important in refilling our reservoirs, large amounts of rainfall over winter don’t always equate to a problem-free summer of boating. The weather throughout the year, and vital safety works to our reservoirs, are important factors too.

Due to the size and geographical reach of the network, we split it into ‘hydrological units’ that share the same common sources of water to meet navigational, and other, demands. We have 53 hydrological units, and the good news is that the vast majority of them are starting the season in a healthy water resources position.

The reservoir factor

You may recall that at the start of February we gave an overview of the major, and very costly, works going on at some of our reservoirs. These works, often required by law, ensure that the reservoirs are kept safe and thus available to supply water to our canals for the years ahead. Not investing in these reservoirs is unthinkable both from a legal perspective and as part of our long term work to Keep Canals Alive.

Some of the reservoir works taking place require water to be ‘held down’ at a lower level than normal. This means there is less water than normal available to supply canals in the affected Hydrological Units. Where this is the case, we do our best to conserve the remaining available water to preserve navigation through the summer, as well as looking for alternative solutions.

The Peak Forest & Macclesfield Hydrological Unit continues to be affected by ongoing reservoir works at Toddbrook Reservoir, one of our larger reservoirs. To make the most efficient use of the water available, limited lock operating hours are being discussed as a proactive measure for the forthcoming months once Marple Locks reopen following repairs.

Where reservoirs are being held down, they may not reach their target holding capacity before the start of the summer. The 10 Mile Hydrological Unit, which is the summit pound of the Grand Union Canal, will not reach its target holding capacity. However sometimes we can combat this by finding other water sources. At one of the supply reservoirs with safety works taking place, Olton, the water resources risk resulting from the loss of reservoir storage can be met using groundwater pumped from elsewhere in the hydrological unit.

Elsewhere on the network, Harthill and Pebley reservoirs, part of the Chesterfield Canal Hydrological Unit, are currently drawn down for engineering works. Historically, the Chesterfield is able to sustain navigation through surface water feeds for the first part of the season, so we’ll aim to keep the canal summit open unrestricted for as long as possible using these surface water feeds and supplementing this as required with the water available.

Faring slightly better, the Leeds & Liverpool Hydrological Unit is likely to reach its target but unlikely to reach the maximum holding capacity. A number of reservoirs are being held down, so we’re implementing limited lock opening hours to help ensure available resources last as long as possible.

The weather factor

As this winter has shown, and the article after this demonstrates, climate change is having a palpable effect on the weather. Increasingly frequent, and damaging, storms aren’t the only product of this change though. It was only two years ago that some areas saw less than 50% of their typical summer rainfall. Overall, 2022 was the sixth driest summer on record, and the driest since 1995, in records that go back to 1836.

When forecasters can only confidently back their predictions for the few days ahead, it’s obvious that it’s impossible to say what effect the weather will have in the coming months. We could see a good balance of glorious sunshine regularly interspersed with steady rain. Alternatively, we could have another 2022 summer, or worse.

Prolong boating by saving water

Whatever the weather, there’s plenty you, as a boater, can do to help preserve this vital resource:

Plan your lockage

When you're approaching a lock, check whether it's set for a boat coming in the opposite direction. If not then it's all yours, but first check whether there's space to share the lock with another boat. An extra boat in a broad lock can save the equivalent of 1,000 bathfulls of water.

Both of these steps may involve waiting, either for a boat to come in the opposite direction or to share the lock with you. Please be patient and see it as a good excuse to have a cup of tea, maybe stretch your legs and have a chat with passing locals.

It's also a good opportunity to talk to other boaters about their plans and to see if there's any scope for sharing locks on your respective journeys.

Once in a lock make sure the top paddles are properly closed when you are emptying the lock and please double check that gates or paddles have not been left open when you've finished.

Show locks a little love

Locks are built to last and can take most of what we throw at them, but it's important to take care when operating them to minimise the potential for leaks.

When entering or leaving a lock, aim for minimal contact by ensuring that both gates are fully open, even if you are a single narrowboat in a broad lock.

By opening just one gate there is a greater chance of damaging the mitre of the other gate. Pushing lock gates open using a boat can damage the gate lining, increasing the likelihood of it leaking. And finally, please close paddles gently. Letting them crash down can damage or break them, causing additional leakage.

In many places there will be volunteer lock keepers ready and waiting with a cheery smile to help you through the lock and to give you advice for your onward journey.

Hydro-friendly hygiene

Of course it's not just out on the cut where water is increasingly limited. By taking just a little more care with the water used in sanitary stations we can all help limit water usage.

Don't worry, we're not asking you to share a shower, just that, where possible, you take simple steps such as having shorter showers, turning taps off while brushing your teeth and making sure no taps are left running.

Likewise, keep watch when filling water tanks to make sure that they don't overflow. During a hosepipe ban please only use the water point to fill up your water tank for drinking water and hygiene purposes.

Please do not use the water point to wash your boat with a hose or jet washer. Ask yourself whether you really need to clean your boat or whether it can wait a few weeks.

Remember to THRIFT

Our THRIFT code makes it easier to remember these simple steps you should follow to help conserve your water usage.

• Two in a lock? Share locks
• Help keep it in. Make sure gates and paddles are shut
• Report any leaks to us
• Invite oncoming boats through. Don't empty or fill locks if someone else can make use of the water
• Find another favourite. Explore less busy parts of our network
• Think ahead. Plan cruises to minimise use of locks

Easenhall Cutting slip underlines need for range of specialist technical support

In this edition of Boaters’ Update, we have already mentioned the challenges brought by climate change. The picture above brings home the magnitude.

The photo is an aerial view of Easenhall Cutting on the Oxford Canal. After a period of intense rainfall in early February an estimated 4,000 tonnes of the 18m cutting slipped into the canal, the equivalent weight of about 2,000 medium sized cars.

Unfortunately, as wet weather continued throughout March, it made working on the site very difficult as the saturation of the exposed slip face and slumped material was making the area unstable and dangerous. We cannot currently clear any material from the navigation or the side of the canal, for fear of further slips.

Due to this, we’re planning to access the cutting across adjacent fields, digging a 300m access road to clear some of the slumped material, and then excavating the material from the navigation. We’ll work in a careful, progressive, manner to manage the risks of further slips.

Our current aim is to re-open the navigation by 18 May. This is still subject to change, depending on weather conditions as we progress with the works, and what potential damage has occurred to the towpath wall, which we won’t know until we start excavation.

This type of impact is set to become more frequent, with the entire network facing the growing challenge of climate change-driven storms and floods, so we’ve expanded our long term framework contracts to enable us to call upon specialist technical expertise to help look after the waterways’ many different types of essential structures.

Because most of the network’s earth-built structures were constructed over two centuries ago, we must understand how climate change is impacting the network. A key way of establishing the integrity of these structures is by carrying out a programme of ground investigations.

Ground investigations are also used to assess potential contamination and put in equipment to monitor potential ground movement of canal structures or groundwater levels. They are an integral part in the design of construction projects and allow us to assess the condition and likely future behaviour of canals, reservoirs, and river navigations.

Moving from a single source, from the start of this month, our in-house team will be able to call upon support where needed from Arcadis (UK) Limited, RSK Environment Ltd, and Geotechnical Engineering Limited.

Enabling us to tap into innovation from other sectors when planning works required to keep the canal network open and safe, we have also agreed terms with specialists in technical engineering and design services. Again, moving from a single source, support will be available from Arcadis Consulting (UK) Limited, Pell Frischmann Consultants Ltd, and Stantec UK Limited.

Malcolm Horne, chief infrastructure and programmes officer, said: “The UK’s canal network is a fantastic example of long-lasting civil engineering; living heritage which is still in active use today. This 250-year-old network is also facing the impact of a challenging, changing climate, with the multiple storms in the past few months alone causing £millions of damage. To keep our canals safe and available for years to come, we must make sure our historic structures are sound, and that we’re planning our works with the best possible knowledge, both from our in-house expertise and drawing on the latest advances from other industries.”

Sapling spotters and busters wanted!

Over the last few months you may have seen our vegetation management teams, volunteers and contractors dealing with the current outcrops of self-seeded saplings dotted along our towpaths. This will help maintain the canal sides as well making access at the water’s edge easier for boaters, paddlers and anglers.

We believe that we’ve dealt with the worst offending saplings but we would be really grateful if you see any saplings which you think need removing you could send us a photo and a location (what3words or bridge numbers are ideal). We can then make plans to deal with them.

Alternatively, if you feel safe to do so, we’re happy for people to cut any odd ones you come across – just be safe! From your boating experience you’ll know to be extra cautious around the water’s edge. If you are able to safely lop off a sapling, please place any debris at the back of the towpath so that it doesn’t trip people up. We know that many you will do that already and we’re really grateful for the help that you give.

Please send your sapling sighting reports and photos, and anything else, to your regional enquiries email address (below) and your message will find its way to the appropriate person. Thanks!

• Email the East Midlands team
• Email the London & South East team
• Email the North West team
• Email the Wales & South West team
• Email the West Midlands team
• Email the Yorkshire & North East team

Maintenance, repair and restoration work this weekend

As someone who’s out on, or by, the water more often than most, you’ll know that there are times when we need to fix things that unexpectedly break. So, below, you’ll find a list of navigations that have ongoing restrictions that may affect you if you’re planning to get out on the water this weekend:

• Bridgwater & Taunton Canal
• Droitwich Barge Canal
• Grand Union Canal
• Huddersfield Broad Canal
• Kennet & Avon Canal
• Leeds & Liverpool Canal
• Oxford Canal
• Peak Forest Canal
• River Ouse
• River Severn Navigation
• Rochdale Canal
• Shropshire Union Canal
• South Dock (West India Dock)
• South Stratford Canal
• Stainforth & Keadby Canal
• Stourbridge Canal
• Upper Trent
• Ure Navigation

When restrictions to navigation happen, we get them up on to our website as soon as we can – always best to have a scan before you set off. Have a read of the article below to find out how to get stoppage notification alerts on your smartphone.

If you have any questions about a specific closure, or spot an error in our system, please get in touch.

Make the most of the Weaver

For centuries, the River Weaver has been used for the transport of salt. But manufacturing salt from brine requires coal for fuel (to evaporate the brine), and so merchants were planning improvements along the river as early as the 17th century. By then, sailing barges had begun navigating along the Weaver from the Mersey to Winsford, bringing coal in and salt out.

Various Acts authorised improvements allowing the salt industry to prosper, and throughout the 19th century, the navigation was consistently profitable. The formerly tidal Weaver below Pickerings Wharf underwent substantial modification.

Connecting with the Trent & Mersey Canal

Eventually, the area became known for the production of other chemicals on increasingly larger scales, and it became commonplace to see vessels of 500 tons or more navigating far inland. The trustees of the Weaver Navigation were determined to connect it with the Trent & Mersey Canal running more than 50 feet (15m) above the level of the river: locks would have been impractical and expensive, so they designed the extraordinary Anderton Lift, which opened in 1875.

The lift underwent many modifications but finally succumbed to the effects of corrosion from the surrounding works. It was effectively abandoned in 1983. Having lain unused for almost two decades, it was then fully refurbished and reopened in 2002. More than two decades on it now needs an important upgrade project, for which we launched an appeal, to ensure that we keep Anderton Boat Lift alive for many years to come.

Lift to close summer 2025 (but reopen for 150th birthday!)

We are planning to close the lift in early summer 2025 and reopen it 12-18 months later. This means that boaters and can expect to enjoy a full year of boating in 2024, and potentially a short window around the following Easter, before it is wrapped in a protective encapsulation skin to give it a special 150th anniversary upgrade.

So, if you want to grab the opportunity to ‘do’ the Weaver and the ‘Cathedral of the Canals’, then please read on for information about opening times.

Opening Times - Vale Royal, Hunts, Saltersford and Dutton Locks, Weaver Navigation

From Tuesday, 2 April, until and inclusive of, Sunday, 27 October:

Saltersford and Dutton Locks seven days a week, as per the following times. 

• Monday to Friday: 9am – 5pm. Last entry at 4:30pm
• Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays: 9am – 6pm. Last entry at 5:30pm

Vale Royal and Hunts Locks seven days a week, as per the following times.

• Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays: 9am – 5pm. Last entry at 4:30pm
• Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays: 9am – 6pm. Last entry at 5:30pm

On Tuesdays and Thursdays:

• Hunts Lock 9am – 11am. Last entry at 10:30am
• Vale Royal 11:30 – 1:30pm. Last entry at 1pm
• Hunts Lock 2:30pm – 5pm. Last entry at 16:30pm

We are hoping to increase these lock times for boaters by recruiting more volunteers to help. We’ve grown the team from nine to 23 over the last year and would love you to become part of ‘Weaver family’. You can find out more here.

For lock passages between 28 - 31 October, bookings will need to be made 48 hours in advance. To book passages, please call the North West customer service team on 0303 040 4040.

To use Marsh Lock, to access the Shropshire Union Canal via the Manchester Ship Canal, and vice versa, you can now book online or by calling the North West customer service team on the number above.

Our locks are managed by our welcoming and dedicated team of volunteers and colleagues. They are committed to ensuring that your journey along the Weaver Navigation is as enjoyable as possible. Additionally, you can discover valuable information here, including details about mooring locations, Trust facilities, a food & drink guide, and much more.

What’s most likely to break on your boat?

At one time or another, even despite meticulous maintenance schedules and attentive boat care, something is likely to stop working. Have you ever wondered about the ten most common things to go belly up? Well, wonder no more. River Canal Rescue has analysed data from the 3,335 call outs it had last year and produced a Top Ten! In at number one is…

Just outside the top ten are water pumps (caused by seal failures, wear and tear, impeller break up and sheared components), morse controllers (wear and tear) and engine mounts (hitting underwater obstacles, wear and tear, age, rubber degrading, misalignment and bolts shearing).

According to RCR, the majority of replacement part call-outs are due to damp getting into electrical components, excessive or harsh use, vibration, accidental damage, wear and tear, the effect of pollutants such as diesel, oil or anti-freeze, old-age and misalignment of parts.

Bits & bobs

• The next meeting of the Canal & River Trust Disabled Boaters’ Forum meeting will be online on Tuesday 16 April, 6-8pm. The meetings are held to hear your views on the issues you encounter, and to let you know what we’re doing to help improve your boating experience. Register to attend the meeting using this Eventbrite link.
• Finally, don’t forget that there’s a new process for renewing your boat licence which includes providing proof of your mooring – more information can be found in this previous edition.

Happy boating, Damian