Dowley Gap Aqueduct
Seven arches aqueduct.
The Seven Arches Aqueduct crossing the River Aire at Dowley Gap.
Dowley Gap Aqueduct, also known as the Severn Arches aqueduct, was designed by the famous engineer James Brindley and constructed by John Longbotham who designed the Bingley Locks.
James Brindley
It carries the canal 9 metres (30 ft) over the river Aire.
The river started life around 10,000 years ago as an overflow channel from a melting glacier. The mounds of gravel and boulders (moraine) at Hirst Wood were dropped by this glacier.
The overflow channel flowed round them and over the years cut down through the moraine to form the current course of the River Aire.
The pitched stones beneath the aqueduct were laid to protect the foundations of the aqueduct when the river floods.
Pitched stone setts beneath the aqueduct to prevent erosion when the river floods.
Boat horse Bilbo Baggins pulls narrowboat Elland cross the aqueduct.
Bingley Heritage Awareness Project:
Last date edited: 21 July 2015