Steps to Take When Operating a Canal Lock

A Point-by-Point Guide to Negotiating Locks on British Canals

Nov 13, 2009 John Welford

These are the steps to take when going up or down through a lock, with a note on negotiating staircase locks.

There is a simple procedure to be followed when negotiating a canal lock.

Going Through the Lock

The basic procedure for “going up” is:

• Ensure that the lock is empty, by raising the lower paddles if necessary, preferably with another boat coming down at the same time
• Open the lower gates
• Move the boat into the lock
• Close the lower gates
• Ensure that the lower paddles are in the down position
• Raise the upper paddles
• When possible, open the upper gate
• Move the boat out of the lock
• Wind the upper paddles down (this can be done as the boat is moving out)
• Close the upper gate
• Before the crew rejoin the boat, check that all paddles are down.

The procedure for “going down” is:

• Ensure that the lock is full
• If the lock is empty, close the lower gates (having checked to see if another boat is coming the other way, and waiting for it if necessary) and fill the lock as above
• Open the upper gate
• Move the boat into the lock
• Close the upper gate
• Ensure that the upper paddles are down
• Raise the lower paddles
• When possible, open the lower gates. This may mean walking all round the lock and crossing via the upper gate to get to the other side. Make sure that the first gate paddle has been wound down before crossing over.
• Move the boat out of the lock
• Close the lower gates. This may mean crossing back again, having wound down the second gate paddle.
• Before the crew rejoin the boat, check that all paddles are down.

Negotiating a Staircase Lock

This is a lock in which the upper gate of one lock is the lower gate of another, with the lock chambers adjoining each other. As many as five locks may be linked in this way (as at Foxton in Leicestershire where there are two five-lock staircases). Boats must therefore proceed though the whole staircase, up or down, in one go, and it is not possible for a boat to go up the staircase at the same time that another is coming down.

The basic procedure is as above, except that the locks must be prepared in advance:

• If going uphill, the bottom lock should be empty and the rest full
• If going downhill, the top lock should be full and the rest empty.

However, the process must start at the bottom, because a lock should not be emptied unless the one below it is already empty. On the other hand, the locks should not be lowered below the level at which the boat will float or if there is a danger that a boat’s propeller or rudder could catch on the cill between two locks. The suggested levels may well be indicated on the walls of each lock.

Once the locks have been prepared, all the paddles must be fully lowered.

There is a lot to think about when operating a lock but it all becomes second nature after a while. It is important to bear in mind that locks are dangerous places, and also that other canal users should be inconvenienced as little as possible.

The application of common sense and good manners should ensure a pleasant and safe experience for all concerned!

The copyright of the article Steps to Take When Operating a Canal Lock in Boating & Sailing is owned by John Welford. Permission to republish Steps to Take When Operating a Canal Lock in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Looking Down a Flight of Locks Towards Warwick

Part of Foxton Locks (Staircase)