River Witham and Fossdyke Canal
The Brayford Pool is a naturally occurring lake, at the junction of the Fossdyke Navigation (or Canal) and the River Witham. Both of these waterways owe their status to the military base and colony that was established at Lincoln in the first century AD.
The River Witham
The Witham joins the Brayford at its eastern end, down stream it leaves the City passing along the famous 'Glory Hole' and under High B
ridge - the oldest bridge in the country with buildings still standing over it. The Witham continues to Boston and eventually flows into the North Sea at the Wash on the Lincolnshire coast. The river's final miles are affected by tides - with water levels sometimes reaching 27ft.
More information on the River Witham can be found on the Waterscape website.
The Fossdyke Canal
Believed to be the oldest man-made navigation in the country that is still navigable, the Fossdyke stretches 11 miles from the River Trent at Torksey Lock and arrives at Brayford Pool.
More information on the Fossdyke Canal can be found on the Waterscape website.
Following the Fossdyke and the Witham through the ages
Early history
Some historians and archaeologists believe that the Fossdyke Canal was built by the Romans around 120AD to link the River Trent with their city at Lincoln. The earliest definite documentary reference to the Fossdyke Canal is from 1121.
13th century - 16th century
Waterways were responsibility of various landowners and the Church; maintenance inefficient and by 17th century almost impassable (though Lincoln still England's 4th largest port in 13th century)
18th - 19th century
Fossdyke is leased to various parties - on understanding that trading profits would be used to maintain the waterway
1753
Act of Parliament leads to straightening and dredging of Witham and Fossdyke
1766
Grand Sluice and lock built at Boston to protect Witham from tide and flood damage
Early 1800s
Major schemes to alleviate problems caused by mud in the tidal section of the Witham between the coast and Boston. Witham was also straightened and deepened between Lincoln and Boston.
1846
Witham and Fossdyke leased to Great Northern Railway Company
End 19th century
Both navigations running at a loss
Early 1950s
Regular barge traffic along Witham ceased
1964
Brayford Pool cleared, 25 wrecked boats removed
1969
Brayford Trust established
1972
Commercial carrying along Fossdyke Canal ceased
