Shropshire Union Canal Towpath Flood Control Sluice Gate - Audlem, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 53° 00.187 W 002° 31.126
30U E 532293 N 5872725
This sluice gate at the side of the canal is used to drain excess water from the canal when flooding is likely.
Waymark Code: WMYWH8
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 08/02/2018
Views: 1
Although canals can look static, water does in fact flow through them. Part of this is from water being released when locks are emptied, but there is also a natural, if small flow of water.
At various parts of the canal there are places where water can overflow, often underneath the tow path, and usually into a nearby stream or river.
In times of high water levels however it is sometimes necessary to drain off more water and sometimes this is done if parts of the canal are drained for maintenance.
Sluice gates like this one are then used to drain water from the canal in a controlled way.
In this case the gate was controlled by a windlass, which was not kept with the gate to prevent unauthorised use. The mechanism in this case is no longer connected and not used.
Name of Waterway.: Shropshire Union Canal overflow channel
Roughly when was the Waterway created?: 1830
Is this waterway working?: Working
What is the condition of the sluice gate?: Reasonable
What is/was the water used for?: Floodgate
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