DRY SECTION
William Jessop, the canal's engineer, encountered some criticism due to his difficulties in
sealing the canal here. The porous gypsum strata proved a challenge for the canal
builders, both from delaying its opening, to having to close shortly afterwards to be
repuddled with clay.
The dry section extends for approximately five miles. It appears, eventually, to have held
water reasonably well until; according to an eye witness, in 1958, the canal was too
deeply dredged and a culvert running under the canal bed was damaged, allowing water
to escape.
Fortunately, we have engineering solutions today, which will enable this section to be fully
restored to water. The majority, if not all of this work, is within the scope of volunteers.
The re-watered dry section between bridge 21 and lock 11 that had been temporarily re-watered in 1971
when British Gypsum were emptying a new quarry locally.
Project presentation by David Lyneham-Brown
on returning the dry section to water.
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