Sluice Gate - West Stockwith, UK - Water Dams on Waymarking.com

West Stockwith Sluice Gate

The West Stockwith sluice gate is part of the River Trent flood risk management scheme. It was originally constructed in 1938 to prevent the tidal River Trent from flooding the lower reaches of the River Idle catchment. It closes automatically on every high tide. The gate had reached the end of its life so in order to sustain the standard of protection to the area the Environment Agency replaced the gate in 2014.

River Trent flood risk management scheme
The River Trent defences provide protection to over 900 properties in a number of towns and villages, including Misterton and West Stockwith.

The River Idle
The River Idle originally flowed in a northerly direction to join the River Don. It was diverted along its current course in 1628. It is 26 miles long from its source at the confluence of the River Maun and River Meden to its outfall into the River Trent at West Stockwith. The river flows through the towns of Retford and Bawtry and 88 hectares of its lower reaches are designated as a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981).