Welches Dam Lock
closed since 2006.
Also known as: Welches Dam Sluice.
Purl's Bridge Drove, Manea PE15 0NF, United Kingdom

Welches Dam Lock
is a place on the waterways
on the Middle Level Navigations (Forty Foot River - unnavigable section) between
Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction (Junction of Forty Foot River with Old Bedford River) (a few yards
to the east) and
Horseway Village Bridge (1 mile and 7¼ furlongs
and 1 lock
to the west).
The nearest place in the direction of Horseway Village Bridge is Horseway Lock (closed indefinitely);
1 mile and 3¾ furlongs
away.
This is a pinch point. The normal maximum dimensions for a boat on this waterway are 60 feet long and 11 feet wide (the maxium height and draught are unknown), but to pass through here the maximum dimensions are 47 feet long and 11 feet wide.
There is no access to the towpath here.
Mooring here is unrated.
There is a bridge here which takes a track over the canal.
This is a lock, the rise of which is not known.
Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction | a few yards | |
Welches Dam Lock | ||
Horseway Lock | 1 mile, 3¾ furlongs |
- Press Release: IWA Campaign Cruise on the Old Bedford River — associated with this page
- (archived copy) IWA Campaign Cruise
Mouseover for more information or show routes to facility
Nearest water point
In the direction of Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction
Denver Sluice — 12 miles, 4¾ furlongs and 2 locks away
Travel to Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old Bedford River) to Great Ouse - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (New Bedford River) to Denver Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old West River - Large River) to Denver Sluice
Downham Market Road Bridge — 14 miles, 2¼ furlongs and 4 locks away
Travel to Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old Bedford River) to Great Ouse - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (New Bedford River) to Denver Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old West River - Large River) to Old West River - Great Ouse Relief Channel Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Great Ouse Relief Channel) to Downham Market Road Bridge
Windmill EA Mooring — 15 miles, 4½ furlongs and 3 locks away
Travel to Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old Bedford River) to Great Ouse - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (New Bedford River) to Denver Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old West River - Large River) to Windmill EA Mooring
West Head Road Bridge — 16 miles, 5½ furlongs and 4 locks away
Travel to Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old Bedford River) to Great Ouse - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (New Bedford River) to Denver Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old West River - Large River) to Old West River - Great Ouse Relief Channel Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Great Ouse Relief Channel) to West Head Road Bridge
Stowbridge Heron EA Moorings — 16 miles, 6 furlongs and 4 locks away
Travel to Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old Bedford River) to Great Ouse - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (New Bedford River) to Denver Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old West River - Large River) to Old West River - Great Ouse Relief Channel Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Great Ouse Relief Channel) to Stowbridge Heron EA Moorings
Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen — 19 miles, 2¼ furlongs and 4 locks away
Travel to Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old Bedford River) to Great Ouse - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (New Bedford River) to Denver Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old West River - Large River) to Old West River - Great Ouse Relief Channel Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Great Ouse Relief Channel) to Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen
In the direction of Horseway Lock
March Boater Services — 18 miles, 2 furlongs and 2 locks away
Travel to Horseway Lock, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Forty Foot River - navigable section) to Sixteen Foot Corner, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Sixteen Foot River) to Three Holes, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Popham's Eau) to Old River Nene - Popham's Eau Junction, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Old River Nene) to March Boater Services
Upwell Church Bridge Public Staithe (visitor mooring) — 17 miles, 3 furlongs and 3 locks away
Travel to Horseway Lock, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Forty Foot River - navigable section) to Sixteen Foot Corner, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Sixteen Foot River) to Three Holes, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Popham's Eau) to Old River Nene - Popham's Eau Junction, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Old River Nene) to Upwell Church Bridge Public Staithe (visitor mooring)
March Marina — 19 miles, 1¾ furlongs and 2 locks away
Travel to Horseway Lock, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Forty Foot River - navigable section) to Sixteen Foot Corner, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Sixteen Foot River) to Three Holes, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Popham's Eau) to Old River Nene - Popham's Eau Junction, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Old River Nene) to March MarinaNearest rubbish disposal
In the direction of Horseway Lock
March Boater Services — 18 miles, 2 furlongs and 2 locks away
Travel to Horseway Lock, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Forty Foot River - navigable section) to Sixteen Foot Corner, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Sixteen Foot River) to Three Holes, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Popham's Eau) to Old River Nene - Popham's Eau Junction, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Old River Nene) to March Boater Services
Upwell Church Bridge Public Staithe (visitor mooring) — 17 miles, 3 furlongs and 3 locks away
Travel to Horseway Lock, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Forty Foot River - navigable section) to Sixteen Foot Corner, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Sixteen Foot River) to Three Holes, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Popham's Eau) to Old River Nene - Popham's Eau Junction, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Old River Nene) to Upwell Church Bridge Public Staithe (visitor mooring)Nearest chemical toilet disposal
In the direction of Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction
Denver Sluice — 12 miles, 4¾ furlongs and 2 locks away
Travel to Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old Bedford River) to Great Ouse - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (New Bedford River) to Denver Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old West River - Large River) to Denver Sluice
In the direction of Horseway Lock
March Boater Services — 18 miles, 2 furlongs and 2 locks away
Travel to Horseway Lock, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Forty Foot River - navigable section) to Sixteen Foot Corner, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Sixteen Foot River) to Three Holes, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Popham's Eau) to Old River Nene - Popham's Eau Junction, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Old River Nene) to March Boater Services
March Marina — 19 miles, 1¾ furlongs and 2 locks away
Travel to Horseway Lock, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Forty Foot River - navigable section) to Sixteen Foot Corner, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Sixteen Foot River) to Three Holes, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Popham's Eau) to Old River Nene - Popham's Eau Junction, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Old River Nene) to March MarinaNearest place to turn
In the direction of Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction
Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction — a few yards and 1 lock away
On this waterway in the direction of Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction
Mepal Pumping Station — 3 miles and 1 lock away
Travel to Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Counter Wash Drain) to Mepal Pumping Station
Salter's Lode Junction — 12 miles, 2½ furlongs and 2 locks away
Travel to Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old Bedford River) to Great Ouse - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (New Bedford River) to Salter's Lode Junction
Denver Junction — 12 miles, 4½ furlongs and 2 locks away
Travel to Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old Bedford River) to Great Ouse - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (New Bedford River) to Denver Junction
Old West River - Great Ouse Relief Channel Junction — 12 miles, 5½ furlongs and 3 locks away
Travel to Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old Bedford River) to Great Ouse - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (New Bedford River) to Denver Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old West River - Large River) to Old West River - Great Ouse Relief Channel Junction
Denver Relief Channel Lock Weir Entrance — 12 miles, 6½ furlongs and 3 locks away
Travel to Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old Bedford River) to Great Ouse - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (New Bedford River) to Denver Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old West River - Large River) to Old West River - Great Ouse Relief Channel Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Great Ouse Relief Channel) to Denver Relief Channel Lock Weir Entrance
Welmore Sluice — 14 miles, 2 furlongs and 2 locks away
Travel to Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old Bedford River) to Great Ouse - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (New Bedford River) to Welmore Sluice
Brandon Creek Junction — 19 miles, 3½ furlongs and 3 locks away
Travel to Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old Bedford River) to Great Ouse - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (New Bedford River) to Denver Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old West River - Large River) to Brandon Creek Junction
In the direction of Horseway Lock
Bill Fen Marina — 11 miles, ½ furlongs and 2 locks away
Travel to Horseway Lock, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Forty Foot River - navigable section) to Old River Nene - Forty Foot River Junction, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Old River Nene) to Old River Nene - Ramsey High Lode Junction, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Ramsey High Lode) to Bill Fen Marina
Ramsey — 11 miles, 7 furlongs and 2 locks away
Travel to Horseway Lock, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Forty Foot River - navigable section) to Old River Nene - Forty Foot River Junction, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Old River Nene) to Old River Nene - Ramsey High Lode Junction, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Ramsey High Lode) to Ramsey
Mullicourt Aqueduct Winding Hole — 13 miles, 5¾ furlongs and 2 locks away
Travel to Horseway Lock, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Forty Foot River - navigable section) to Sixteen Foot Corner, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Sixteen Foot River) to Three Holes, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Middle Level Main Drain) to Mullicourt Aqueduct Winding Hole
Old River Nene - Whittlesey Dyke Junction — 16 miles, 5½ furlongs and 2 locks away
Travel to Horseway Lock, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Forty Foot River - navigable section) to Old River Nene - Forty Foot River Junction, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Old River Nene) to Old River Nene - Whittlesey Dyke Junction
Bevill's Leam Pumping Station (southwest side) — 16 miles, 5½ furlongs and 3 locks away
Travel to Horseway Lock, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Forty Foot River - navigable section) to Old River Nene - Forty Foot River Junction, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Old River Nene) to Old River Nene - Black Ham Drain - Bevill's Leam Junction, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Bevill's Leam: Mere Mouth to Pumping Station) to Bevill's Leam Pumping Station (southwest side)
Holme — 17 miles, ¾ furlongs and 3 locks away
Travel to Horseway Lock, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Forty Foot River - navigable section) to Old River Nene - Forty Foot River Junction, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Old River Nene) to Old River Nene - New Dyke Junction, then on the Middle Level Navigations (New Dyke) to Holme
West End Winding Hole — 18 miles, 7¼ furlongs and 2 locks away
Travel to Horseway Lock, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Forty Foot River - navigable section) to Sixteen Foot Corner, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Sixteen Foot River) to Three Holes, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Popham's Eau) to Old River Nene - Popham's Eau Junction, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Old River Nene) to West End Winding Hole
Angle Corner — 20 miles and 2 locks away
Travel to Horseway Lock, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Forty Foot River - navigable section) to Old River Nene - Forty Foot River Junction, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Old River Nene) to Old River Nene - Whittlesey Dyke Junction, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Whittlesey Dyke) to Angle Corner
Black Ham Pumping Station — 19 miles, 4¾ furlongs and 3 locks away
Travel to Horseway Lock, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Forty Foot River - navigable section) to Old River Nene - Forty Foot River Junction, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Old River Nene) to Old River Nene - Black Ham Drain - Bevill's Leam Junction, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Black Ham Drain) to Black Ham Pumping StationNearest self-operated pump-out
In the direction of Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction
Denver Sluice — 12 miles, 4¾ furlongs and 2 locks away
Travel to Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old Bedford River) to Great Ouse - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (New Bedford River) to Denver Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old West River - Large River) to Denver SluiceNearest boatyard pump-out
In the direction of Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction
Denver Sluice — 12 miles, 4¾ furlongs and 2 locks away
Travel to Forty Foot River - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old Bedford River) to Great Ouse - Old Bedford River Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (New Bedford River) to Denver Junction, then on the River Great Ouse (Old West River - Large River) to Denver Sluice
In the direction of Horseway Lock
March Marina — 19 miles, 1¾ furlongs and 2 locks away
Travel to Horseway Lock, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Forty Foot River - navigable section) to Sixteen Foot Corner, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Sixteen Foot River) to Three Holes, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Popham's Eau) to Old River Nene - Popham's Eau Junction, then on the Middle Level Navigations (Old River Nene) to March MarinaDirection of TV transmitter (From Wolfbane Cybernetic)
There is no page on Wikipedia called “Welches Dam Lock”
Wikipedia pages that might relate to Welches Dam Lock
[Forty Foot Drain]
(16.9 km), from Wells Bridge, where it joins the old River Nene, to Welches Dam Sluice, where it joins the Counter Wash Drain, which then changes identity
[Old Bedford River]
the ex-dam) straight into the New Bedford river further upstream at Welmore Lake sluice. This new waterway (which kinks to the right at Welches Dam before
[New Bedford River]
Bedford River was built, however, since Welches Dam is named after Edmund Welche, who worked with Vermuyden, and the dam in question was originally built across
[River Great Ouse]
Middle Level Navigations is also possible via the Old Bedford River and Welches Dam lock, but this route is only open for a few weekends each year, and was
[Middle Level Navigations]
Aqueduct. The alternative route via Horseway sluice and the Old Bedford River is unusable, as the lock at Welches Dam was declared unsafe and closed in 2006
[Fens Waterways Link]
probably be provided from Vermuyden's Drain into the Old Bedford River at Welches Dam, and thence to the Great Ouse at Earith, though another possibility is
[Wookey Hole Caves]
maintained at an artificially high level and falls a couple of metres when the sluice is lowered to allow access to the fourth and fifth chambers, two small air
[List of whitewater rivers]
intermediate and above. Middle Branch Oswegatchie River - Bryants Bridge and Sluice Falls sections, Class IV -V. Mongaup River - Class II-III; about 3-mile
[List of local nature reserves in England]
Woodlands) Reading Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow Mid Sussex Blyth to Seaton Sluice Dunes Blyth Valley Bobbits Lane Ipswich Bocking Blackwater Braintree Bodmin
[River Loddon]
flow modifications by the building up of mill pond reaches with weirs and sluices and the adjacent mill races (also called leats). Most of these used wheels
Results of Google Search
Forty Foot Drain - WikipediaThe waters of the Forty Foot Drain no longer discharge through Welches Dam Sluice. Instead they flow via the Sixteen Foot Drain to Three Holes and thence via ...
Twenty Foot River. March. Welches Dam Lock. Forty Foot Drain. Middle Level / EA boundary. Horseway Sluice. Counter Wash Drain. A141 bridges. River Nene.
RSPB Ouse Washes/ Welches Dam ... Graham Harris on Environment Agency Offices – Denver Sluice Complex · MarkNokkert on Environment Agency Offices ...
Fontana Dam ch Fontana p h k s k h e d k e n k k Sluice Gap Porters Gap ... Welches Dam is the site of the visitor centre for the RSPB Ouse Washes reserve.
... Welches Dam to Horseway Lock. A photo of your boat at Welches Dam will be the best proof of your visit, but Welney will be acceptable especially if the sluice ...
Earith Sluice regulates flow entering the Old Bedford River and the Ouse Washes ... building a new wall at Welches Dam Pumping Station;; extending a retaining ...
Twenty Foot River. March. Welches Dam Lock. Forty Foot Drain. Middle Level / EA boundary. Horseway Sluice. Counter Wash Drain. A141 bridges. River Nene.
Feb 3, 2016 ... ... on the operation of the Ouse Washes system, the use of Welney Gate, Welches Dam pumping station and the Old Bedford Sluice. February 3 ...
Nov 24, 2020 ... ... Welmore Lake sluice, excess water is diverted automatically into the Old Bedford River, which from Welches Dam becomes the River Delph.