How a canal lock works

This animation shows the different stages of locking a boat through. It is important to understand how the locks function.

Precautions to take when locking through

• A lock keeper must be present when you lock through.
• Do not try to operate a lock if you are unsure of what you are doing.
• Survey children at all times. DO NOT RUN on the locks.
• Be careful using the sluice gate handles.
• Always put the safety lock or chain on the lock doors after you have finished opening or closing the lock.
• Survey your ropes, not too slack or too tight.
• It is very easy to empty the canal pound above of water you and flood the one below.

Barge locking through, going upstream.

1. The lock must be empty, with the lower doors open, in the same position as the end of the procedure for when a barge is coming downstream.
2. The lock keeper will cut off the water current being provide, by lowering the sluice gates. This will reduce turbulence as you enter the lock
3. The barge will line up and enter the lock slowly.
4. The deckhand will stop the barge advancing with a rope and bollards, generally on a bow bollard, stopping the barge short of the "radier".
5. The barge is securely moored in the lock by a read rope.
6. The lock keeper closes the down stream doors (it helps to speed up the procedure by assisting).
7. The downstream sluice gates are closed.
8. The upstream sluice gates are opened slowly, allowing water to enter the lock and fill up.
9. The bargee and deck hand constantly verify the position of the barge whilst the barge rises, as it is often necessary to adjust and tighten the ropes, to maintain the barge in the correct place.
10. Once the water level in the lock reaches the level of the canal above, the pressure, which was naturally keeping the upstream doors closed, is released. It then becomes possible to open the doors. Which should be attached, once opened.
11. The barge ropes can be released and the barge can slowly exit the lock. It is polite and safer not to exit the lock too quickly, as the turbulence caused by the propellor can create a wave movement which "slams" the door. The lock is now in the position to accept a barge coming downstream.

Barge locking through, going downstream.

1. The lock must be full of water with the upstream doors open as indicated in paragraph 10 for barges going upstream.
2. The lock keeper will indicate to the bargee that the lock is ready.
3. The barge will enter the lock slowly, the deckhand will stop the barge advancing with a rope and bollards, generally on a bow bollard.
4. The lock keeper closes the upstream doors (it helps to speed up the procedure by assisting in closing the opposite door).
5. The upstream sluice gates are closed.
6. The downstream sluice gates are opened slowly, allowing water to exit the lock, into the canal below. The barge will slowly descend.
7. The bargee and deck hand constantly verify the position of the barge whilst the barge descends, as it is often necessary to adjust and slacken the ropes, maintaining the barge in the correct place.
8. Once the water level in the lock reaches the level of the canal below, the water pressure, which was naturally keeping the downstream doors sealed, can be opened.
9. The barge ropes can be released and the barge can slowly exit the lock. It is polite and safer not to exit the lock too quickly, as the turbulence caused by the propellor can create a wave movement which "slams" the doors. The lock is now in the position to accept a barge going upstream.

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