Fossdyke Canal
It is recommended to park at the coordinates suggested, and then
walk over the grass through the gate. Approach the cache from the
canal bank as this will give you the advantage of seeing any
mugglers before they see you. Why not complete your trip to this
location, with some refreshment from the local pub, or wander
around to the quay side in the marina where their area few shops
and refreshments available.
Warning
Please keep children supervised at all times due to the water. It
can be fast flowing following heavy rainfall
.
The Fossdyke Canal owes its status to the military base and colony
that was established at Lincoln in the first century AD. 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 in the heart of Lincoln
City where it joins the River Witham.
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 was 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
1846
Fossdyke leased to Great Northern Railway Company but by the end of
the 19th century the navigation was running at a loss
1972
Commercial carrying along Fossdyke Canal ceased
Today
The Navigation remains open and is currently maintained by British
Waterways. Small craft, Narrow Boats and the occasional Dutch Barge
along with Cruisers and even the occasional canoe can be seen
moving up and down the canal of a good day. Sadly the waterway is
still prone to flooding in some areas despite attempts to lower the
water levels at Torksey Lock.