The Great Ouse

Passing over the Middle Levels Main Drain

We left Upwell at 9:30.  On the way we passed over the large Middle Level Main Drain, a modern drainage channel that unfortunately isnt available for navigation.  The difference in the levels between the old Well Creek and the new channel shows the general drop in soil level that has occurred in the Fens since they were drained and the underlying peat started to dry out and compress. Well Creek itself was once a drainage channel but is now higher than the surrounding farmland and is protected by high banks.

Salters Lode Lock  - waiting for the gate to rise and let us out onto the tidal river

We reached Salters Lode Lock just before lunch time.  This lock takes us up (yes up!) to the tidal Great Ouse and passage through the lock is limited to periods when the tide is high enough for boats to travel on the river but no so high that the waterway is blocked by a low bridge and general lock superstructure.  At 13:45 conditions were right and we ascended the lock and travelled for half a mile up the tidal river to reach Denver Lock which took us down (yes down!) onto the controlled part of the river.

Family of Great Crested Grebe on the Great Ouse

Cruising up the Great Ouse

After a further very enjoyable hour of fast cruising on this wide deep river we stopped for the night at an EA (Environment Agency) mooring some way from anywhere in particular. As I write this the weather has turned wet and miserable so we are glad we stopped when we did.