John wrote: > Caroline, who lives in on the Norfolk Broads where they don't have > locks, would like to ask you experienced canal boaters a question > please. Does anyone have an opinion? > > Thanks > John & Caroline > nb. Charlotte Rose presently at Abingdon > > I know the rule is 'drop the paddles and shut the gate when you > leave' but I was wondering why we shut the gate ? On the lower > stretches of the Grand Union coming into London there are notices > asking the lock be left empty when leaving so all the locks we came > to had a gate open. This is why I am asking. If you could drop the > paddles and leave a gate open when leaving you wouldn't have to pick > up your crew from the bank they could get on whilst the boat was > still in the lock. When you arrive at a lock it is not normally ready > to use, the leaking paddles/gates mean that you either have to top it > up or let some water out. If there was an open gate there is a good > chance you could just go right in. I must be missing something > obvious, is it to do with saving water ? Personally I like the litt > le thrill I get when I arrive at a lock that has open doors because > someone has just left, feels like I got lucky ! Thanks if you know > the answer. Caroline
<Que Adrian> In case he is not awake... Yes, it is a silly rule, but on the GU it does have water saving properties, as a lock left empty with the bottom gates shut and paddles down *should* eventualy fill if there is water going through the top ground paddle (they can overspill and act as by-weirs) Some say BWB started the rule as a water saving measure, as gates are so leaky. In Ireland on the "canals" we adopt a different rule, locks always empty, with one bottom paddle up and bottom gates open. -- Neil Arlidge - NB Erne Nest
