Navigation – Overview.
Welcome to Navigation on the Middle Level.
The Middle Level Commissioners manage 160km of navigable waterways in the historic Fens of Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, providing a critical connection between the Environment Agency’s River Nene and River Great Ouse navigations. The Nene-Ouse Navigation Link is, at present, the only connection between the Great Ouse and the canal network. Boaters should be aware that, just like the Nene and Great Ouse, water levels can fluctuate in the Middle Level System.
Exploring the Middle Level by water enables you to access the historic Fen towns of Whittlesey, Ramsey & March along with the quaint villages of Benwick, Ramsey Forty Foot, Upwell & Outwell.
From long, straight, embanked, man-made drains, where you get a sense of the human endeavour involved in the drainage of the Fens, to the pretty Well Creek, there’s a real diversity to explore.
As well as having beautiful scenery, this pump-controlled system can provide additional challenges before, during and after times of heavy rainfall. Make time to explore this unique environment and take care to adapt to any changing conditions.
Key Information
NAVIGATION OFFICER’S CONTACT DETAILS
Tel: 01354 653232
Mobile: 07725 134170
Email: kevin.russell@middlelevel.gov.uk
LOCK KEEPERS’ CONTACT NUMBERS
Stanground Lock: 07824 600470
Salter’s Lode Lock: 07398 822986 or 01366 382292
If you are new to boating, a bit rusty or are hiring a boat, in support of their Boaters Safety Handbook, the Canal & River Trust (here) and the Environment Agency have published five short animated videos we encourage you to watch.
Exploring the Middle Level
We welcome boaters sharing their journeys of exploration beyond our navigation link route, such as Mike Daines and John Revell’s accounts of their adventure on Monks Lode and to Yaxley.