Ducketts Conclusion

I've finished with this for now. My full report is here, and please add any comments there rather than here. My conclusion and recommendations follow:

Hertford Union Canal Middle Lock

I have no evidence to suggest that boater behaviour is causing problems with this flight. Some paddles were found to be left up on two of the mornings, but I did not observe any losses from the pounds as a result. My presence may have prompted better locking operations from some boaters, but I cannot draw any conclusion from this.

The pound between the middle and top lock was seen to fall several inches with each locking through. This is in line with the likely loss of water due to the difference in the fall of the top and middle lock.

The pound between the middle and top lock was not observed to change level over four and a half hours while the middle lock's head gates were shut, and there were no lockings through.

The middle lock's tail gates were observed to be leaking more than the same lock's head gates. Some damage was observed to these gates. The towpath side tail gate was seen to be unbalanced, swinging open under its own weight.

It's my conclusion that the losses to the pound between the middle and top lock are almost entirely caused by each locking through. Boater behaviour and poor maintenance are not regular causes of these losses.

Water level control:

It would be helpful for Trust volunteers or staff with some training in water level control to monitor water levels in this pound at busy times when there are the most lockings through. According to local observers, this would be on Saturdays and Sundays. This will allow water to be let down safely when necessary, after about every five lockings through. The presence of staff/volunteers could also help prevent any accidental loss of water.

Maintenance:

The middle lock's tail gates rubbing strip should be reinstated ASAP to avoid further damage to these gates.

The middle and top lock's broken paddles should also be repaired.