Fulney Lock, Spalding

Image: © Kate Jewell Taken: 19 Jun 2006

The River Welland is tidal this side of Fulney Lock which helps protect Spalding from flooding in the event of a very high tide. In this photograph the level of water in the tidal part of the river is the same as in the non-tidal section and the gates are almost closed. As the tide level becomes higher the gates will close fully. The Lincolnshire Fens used to be subject to severe flooding both from high tides and raised river levels after heavy rain. After the 1953 floods major improvement work was carried out including upgrading sluice gates, flood barriers and drainage channels. Round Spalding tidal defence on the rivers and drains is provided by doors which close on the rising tide, preventing flood water ingress, but open during low tide periods allowing rivers and drains to discharge freely into the tidal reaches and thus into the Wash. Fulney Lock on the River Welland, Marsh Road Sluice at the outfall of the Coronation Channel, Surfleet sluice at the outfall of the River Glen and the sluice on Vernatt’s Drain are examples round Spalding. See Image and Image

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