[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >There are actually two different things that are both referred to as >'sideponds' in connection with staircase locks: > >(a) the economiser ponds sometimes also found by single locks. These are built >adjacent to each chamber and connected to it via a paddle: this is opened >first, and used to empty or fill the first part of the chamber, then when a >level is made it is closed and the normal top and bottom paddles are used for >the rest of the operation. Use of these sideponds is optional - the locks work >perfectly normally without, but use more water. I know of only one staircase >equipped with these (Bascote on the GU) and they have been out of use for a >long time. > >(b) the type seen at Foxton and Watford, which take the place of the >intermediate pounds between the locks. Instead of being built alongside each >lock, they are built alongside each set of gates, with a paddle to fill them >from the lock above, and another to empty them into the lock below, You can't >help but use them, as there are no paddles to empty one lock directly into the >next one. > >I have heard type (a) referred to as side *ponds* and (b) as side *pounds* but >I don't know if this is in any way official.
Don't know about "official", but that is my understanding of the standard terminology. Just to add to the confusion, there also is the situation found at (e.g.) the thick of Devizes, where the intermediate pounds in a flight are rather short and so are extended sideways to increase water holding capacity (or to reduce water level fluctuation - same thing really). I think these are also referred to as "side pounds". I suppose Bratch (and on the Monmouth in places) is the extreme of this approach. Yes, these are not staircases. Adrian Adrian Stott 07956-299966
