The River Witham, from source to sea
Great Britain 1:50 000 Scale Colour Raster Mapping Extracts © Crown copyright Ordnance Survey. All Rights Reserved. Educational licence 100045616.
Contents
- A pictorial description of the River Witham's indirect route from its source:
- to the sea:
- The first few miles, flowing east to the sea
- The bend north, and up to Grantham and the Vale of Belvoir
- The bend west, into the Vale of Belvoir
- A bend north again, through the Vale of Belvoir to Lincoln
- The bend east, through the Lincoln Gap, and into the Fens
- The final bend south-east to Boston
- Boston
- The Haven, to the sea
- Selected References
The bend east, through the Lincoln Gap, and into the Fens
The Witham valley from Lincoln to Boston was originally formed in glacial times by an earlier course of the River Trent, and forms a northern arm of the Fens draining to The Wash. The fertile marshland environment supported a rich pre-history, and from Roman times the river was an important navigation route to the North Sea. In the Middle Ages it was flowing through one of the most populated parts of the country, with wealth provided by the wool trade supporting the highest concentration of abbeys and monastic foundations in England. But tidal inputs from The Wash, and the meandering course of the river led to silting of the navigation channels, and constant problems with flooding. Starting in the late 18th century an extensive program of dredging and straightening of the channel, with the construction of locks, tidal barrages, drainage dykes and pumping stations resulted in the tamed river of today.
The River Witham through the Lincoln Gap
Looking across the Lincoln Gap
A view from the slope of the Jurassic Limestone escarpment south of Lincoln, across the 'Lincoln Gap' to the cathedral on the escarpment north of Lincoln.
The River Witham flows from the (behind) left, through the Gap to the right. It follows the route originally established in glacial times by an earlier course of the River Trent.
A view from the slope of the Jurassic Limestone escarpment south of Lincoln, across the 'Lincoln Gap' to the cathedral on the escarpment north of Lincoln.
The River Witham flows from the (behind) left, through the Gap to the right. It follows the route originally established in glacial times by an earlier course of the River Trent.
Start of the River Witham Canal
Approaching High Bridge ('The Glory Hole'), reputed to be the oldest bridge in the United Kingdom which still has buildings on it Link.
Stamp End Lock is the first of only two locks on the entire 36 miles of the canal down to Boston. This reflects the very low altitude of the river at Lincoln, where flood management policy maintains water levels at between only 4.4 and 5.7 metres above sea level.
Leaving Lincoln along the Witham Valley
The Water Rail Way
Exploring the Witham between Lincoln and Boston is best done using the excellent Water Rail Way foot and cycle path (part of National Cycle Route no. 1). Its name references the former 'Witham Loop' railway whose old track bed it uses, and the Water Rail bird.
Exploring the Witham between Lincoln and Boston is best done using the excellent Water Rail Way foot and cycle path (part of National Cycle Route no. 1). Its name references the former 'Witham Loop' railway whose old track bed it uses, and the Water Rail bird.
Is the Witham Valley a sacred place?
A mosaic by the River Witham commemorates a nearby bronze age site. A nearby notice board entitled: 'The Witham - a sacred place?' claims that more prehistoric weapons and tools have been found in the River Witham than any other British river except the Thames (examples of some at Link ). Tools and weapons were often deliberately placed in rivers as ritual offerings
A mosaic by the River Witham commemorates a nearby bronze age site. A nearby notice board entitled: 'The Witham - a sacred place?' claims that more prehistoric weapons and tools have been found in the River Witham than any other British river except the Thames (examples of some at Link ). Tools and weapons were often deliberately placed in rivers as ritual offerings
The final bend south-east to Boston
The River Witham, having run due east from Lincoln for six miles, now starts to bend south-east towards Boston
The 'Old' River Witham
Part of the river's original meandering course before much of it was canalised in the 18th and 19th centuries
Part of the river's original meandering course before much of it was canalised in the 18th and 19th centuries
Bardney Lock
This northern arm of the Fens is so flat that this is the only lock on the River Witham between Lincoln and Boston
This northern arm of the Fens is so flat that this is the only lock on the River Witham between Lincoln and Boston
Flowing through an intensively farmed rural landscape, the water quality of the Witham is mainly impacted by high levels of agricultural nutrients in the water of drainage dykes pumped into the river. In 2018 the release of ammonia from an agricultural fertilizer company is estimated to have killed over 100,000 fish in the Witham
Tattershall bridges
The brick bridge was built in 1815 to replace an earlier bridge of c. 1795 Link but is now itself replaced by the steel bridge behind. The cottage on the right is early 18th century.
The brick bridge was built in 1815 to replace an earlier bridge of c. 1795 Link but is now itself replaced by the steel bridge behind. The cottage on the right is early 18th century.
Dogdyke Pumping Station
The station pumps water from the Mill Drain into the Witham. Built in 1856, its steam engine is still in working order (see video at Link
The station pumps water from the Mill Drain into the Witham. Built in 1856, its steam engine is still in working order (see video at Link
'Pointing Doors’ on Kyme Eau.
This simple mechanism, a common sight on dykes along the Witham, ensures that water only flows from the dyke into the Witham; the doors automatically closing if the level of water in the Witham (behind camera) rises.
This simple mechanism, a common sight on dykes along the Witham, ensures that water only flows from the dyke into the Witham; the doors automatically closing if the level of water in the Witham (behind camera) rises.
Langrick Bridge gauging station
According to Link the typical water level is between 0.74 and 1.66 metres above mean sea level, mild flooding occurring above this. The highest recorded level was 3.58 metres.
According to Link the typical water level is between 0.74 and 1.66 metres above mean sea level, mild flooding occurring above this. The highest recorded level was 3.58 metres.
Long, straight stretches of water, with little current, and with embankments providing some shelter from wind may provide ''rowing on probably the best stretch of water for rowing in the country'' (Boston Rowing Club)
With the (former) lock-keeper's cottage. The 'Gowt' (= drain outlet) is the gateway to the Witham Navigable Drains, a network of channels draining the fens north of Boston. Named after Sir Antony Thomas, who helped finance these important drainage improvements in the 1630s. [Information from British Waterways notice board]
by Tim Heaton
Installed in 2007 as part of Sustrans' art on the Lincoln to Boston section of National Cycle Route 1. Link describes its artistic significance. It allows good views of the Witham in a landscape devoid of elevation.
by Tim Heaton
Approaching Boston
Looking south-east along the River Witham Navigation towards Boston, Lincolnshire, with St Botolph's Church ("Boston Stump") dominating the horizon.
by Martin Clark
Great Britain 1:50 000 Scale Colour Raster Mapping Extracts © Crown copyright Ordnance Survey. All Rights Reserved. Educational licence 100045616.
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