Lee Navigation – Lock 13 - Enfield Lock - Enfield, UK
Posted by: ntpayne
N 51° 40.032 W 000° 01.092
30U E 706195 N 5728234
This is lock 13 on the Lee Navigation.
Waymark Code: WMVPP9
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 05/15/2017
Views: 3
This is lock 13 on the Lee Navigation, known as Enfield lock.
Many parts of the Lee Navigation utilise the River Lea (note the different spelling). Parts of the River Lea were navigable in Roman times and by Elizabeth I’s reign most of the river was navigable.
The locks are all at least broadbeam locks with a minimum beam of 15’ 9”. The locks between Enfield and Hertford have a beam of 18’.
The Lea Navigation is 27 ¾ miles long from Limehouse basin to Hertford, the head of navigation, and has 19 locks.
The navigation has been improved over the centuries and just after WWI major improvements were carried out to enable 130 ton boats to reach Enfield and 100 ton boats to reach Ware and Hertford. In the 1960s the locks were mechanised and duplicated so today’s locks are marked as dating from 1/1/1960.
It should be noted that one of the first pound locks in the country was built in 1577 on this river at Waltham Abbey.
Throughout its history, the Lee Navigation was mainly financed through traffic in timber; however, nowadays nearly all traffic is pleasure craft.
Waterway Name: Lee Navigation
Connected Points:
The Lee Navigation runs from Limehouse Basin where it meets the Thames via the Limehouse Cut. It has a junction with the Hertford Union canal at Hackney Wick which provides a shortcut to the Regents Canal through London. It joins Bow Creek where boats can reach the tidal Thames through Bow Locks. The River Stort joins the navigation at Feilde’s weir.
Type: Lock
Date Opened: 01/01/1960
Elevation Difference (meters): 3.00
Site Status: Operational
Web Site: [Web Link]
Date Closed (if applicable): Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
Logs marked as “visits” should be made after physically visiting the waymark location. Include a picture taken during the visit. Notes may be logged by individuals who have visited the web site or looked at the online information and would like to provide comments or feedback on the waymark.