Leaving locks when on self-service

[stuartbaggs]

How should the lock be left?

Full or empty?

Gates shut or open?

Sluices shut or open?

Thanks.

 

[prof pat pending]

Lock empty, gates closed

If in doubt there are instructions by the control panel for the lock

 

[Roysie]

Lock empty, gates closed

If in doubt there are instructions by the control panel for the lock

I know that is what you should do but I don't understand the reason for it being empty

 

[sailorman]

I know that is what you should do but I don't understand the reason for it being empty

If you have just left down stream & fill it,
the nxt boat may well come from down stream ( a 50 /50 chance).he then has to waste a lock full of water to gain access

 

[oldgit]

Here on the Mudway you leave the chamber "as is" without altering anything apart from making sure ALL sluices are closed.
You leave open the lock gates you exit from.
Our real bugbear round here majors on two locks Hampstead and Sluice Weir .
Why is it so difficult to $&£$! SHUT the sluices when people leave the lock ????????
The hours we have spent staring vacantly into the distance wondering why the lock is taking so long to fill.

 

[TrueBlue]

Two reasons were given to me by Them 'as Knows:-

1). To discourage algal growth (especially overnight)
2). To reduce strain on the structure (I was never convinced by this reason - especially as the information came from a lockie who said that the structure "floated").

(3.) Nobody takes much notice of this sort of instruction nowadays - "because you were told to...)

If you do close the bottom gates an empty the lock - DO NOT drop the sluices; else the next poor sod coming upstream has to go through the whole cycle - fill and empty - to get in. That wastes more water... This comment only applies to the round top pedestals.

On the subject of water waste; there's always lots of water going over the weirs as some flow has to be maintained, thus the odd lockfull won't drain the River.

 

[dash300]

I'd rather fall into a full lock than an empty one.

 

[Chris_d]

If you do close the bottom gates an empty the lock - DO NOT drop the sluices; else the next poor sod coming upstream has to go through the whole cycle - fill and empty - to get in. That wastes more water... This comment only applies to the round top pedestals.

On the subject of water waste; there's always lots of water going over the weirs as some flow has to be maintained, thus the odd lockfull won't drain the River.

Yes done this to myself a few times, often done a late run up to Abingdon on a Saturday evening which means going through Culham lock, have diligently left the lock emptying as I depart upstream. Next morning I have been the first there and Culham takes 20minutes to fill on OOHP !!! I leave the lock full and open now... not convinced by any of the arguments to do otherwise.

 

[534l4rk]

Not entirely convenient for the early upstream boater who has to walk to the higher end and not only empty the lock but first also close the gates and sluices !!

 

[Chris_d]

Not entirely convenient for the early upstream boater who has to walk to the higher end and not only empty the lock but first also close the gates and sluices !!

No but it doesn't take 20minutes, note I would only do this deliberately at this particular lock, also there is no where to moor in the downstream reach so it is unlikely anybody else would be there before you if you know you are going downstream early.

 

[534l4rk]

I thought there was a layby for mooring just below Culham Lock on the starboard side going upstream

 

[Chris_d]

Rarely used, usually a liveaboard NB covered in firewood there anyway

 

[Brayman]

Rarely used, usually a liveaboard NB covered in firewood there anyway

You've got to be a bit weird to moor overnight in Culham

 

[prof pat pending]

I thought there was a layby for mooring just below Culham Lock on the starboard side going upstream

I'm pretty sure that is supposed to be part of the lock layby rather than a mooring spot. The end of it can't be seen from the lock though

 

[stuartbaggs]

Getting lots of mixed messages here.

If I go downstream through a lock on the Thames and regardless of how it was left for me am I supposed to

a) leave the chamber full or empty
b) leave any of the gates open
c) leave any of the sluices open

 

[Chris_d]

Getting lots of mixed messages here.

If I go downstream through a lock on the Thames and regardless of how it was left for me am I supposed to

a) leave the chamber full or empty
b) leave any of the gates open
c) leave any of the sluices open[/QUOTE.]

Your supposed to leave it empty, gates closed and as most locks top gates leak leave the bottom sluices open otherwise it will partially refill, simple.

 

[No Regrets]

I leave the lock. End of.

As it's a 50:50 as to where the next boat is coming from, there cannot be a right or wrong in that respect.

As for 'Wasting a lock full of water' that is a joke right? :roll eyes: Every lock full of water is a lock full that doesn't go over the weirs....

 

[Momac]

If no other boat is approaching a lock should always be left with the gates and sluices closed.
If the sluices are left open there is a greater possibility of some debris clogging the sluice.

Up here on the River Trent the locks are automated - you have to close the gates in order to recover your key.

 

[stuartbaggs]

The environment agency say:

"When you leave the lock, please CLOSE the gates behind you but leave the sluices OPEN."

I'll follow that advice - you can't leave a full lock with sluices at both ends open.

 

[Mushroom2]

I leave the lock. End of.

As it's a 50:50 as to where the next boat is coming from, there cannot be a right or wrong in that respect.

May I respectfully suggest that is a very selfish attitude. Stuart above quotes the EA policy. Why do you feel the necessity to ignore their advice?