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Canada Water

The Surrey Commercial Docks originated in 1696 and expanded over the next two centuries. Several of the docks were named after the origins of their customers' cargoes, hence Canada Dock, Quebec Pond, Norway Dock and Russia Dock. The Surrey Commercial Docks finally closed for lack of custom in 1969. About half of Canada Dock was infilled and the Surrey Quays Shopping Centre built on top of it; the remainder was converted into the present lake and wildlife refuge and renamed Canada Water. Canada Water is the only body of fresh water in London Docklands, as water is brought up by borehole from the chalk.