Barge Holidays in the UK, Canal lock Navigation

Going uphill

On arriving at a canal lock and finding it full - first see that all the top paddles are down and that the gate is shut properly. Then open the bottom gate paddles.

When the water in the canal lock is the same level as the water in the bottom pound, open the gates and bring the boat in.

Take lines ashore and secure the boat, then close the bottom gates and the bottom gate paddles.

The top paddles may now be raised very slowly at first to avoid a terrific rush of water, damaging the boat and lock walls.

The boat must be held during this operation to avoid the water sucking the boat forward and crashing it into the top gate.

A watch must also be kept at the stern of the boat to see that it doesn't get trapped under the bottom gate framing as the water rises.

When the level in the canal lock is the same as the level in the top pound the top gate may be opened, never use the boat to push open the top gate.

Before leaving the canal lock, make sure all paddles are down and the top gate is closed behind you.

Going Downhill

On arriving at the canal lock and finding it empty, close the bottom gates and bottom gate paddles, then open the top paddles.

When the water in the canal lock is the same level as the water level in the top pound, the top gates may be opened.

Having brought the boat in close the top gates and top gate paddles.

Lines must be taken ashore and held so that they can be paid out as the boat goes down. Never tie the boat up.

The bottom gate paddles may now be opened.

A watch must be kept on the boat to see that the rubbing strakes on the boat do not get caught up on the lock sides, also the rudder does not get caught up on the sill beneath the top gate, which in many cases extends 3-4 foot (a meter or more) into the canal lock itself, and is not visible until it is too late!


When the water level in the lock is the same as the water level in the bottom pound, the bottom gates may be opened.

Before leaving the canal lock, make sure that the bottom gate paddles are down and that the bottom gate is shut.

Copyright Canalboat Holidays Ltd