Canal lock gate

In the 18th Century during Industrial Revolution, canals around Birmingham were busy with narrowboats transporting coal, iron and other heavy goods. To enable canals to cross hills a series of locks are needed to raise or lower water levels. This is one of a series of three locks that adjust the water level by around 5 metres.

For a boat to go down through a canal lock (left to right In the photo) the top sluices are opened to allow the lock to fill - the top gates can then be opened and the boat can enter the lock closing the gates and sluices behind them. The lower sluices are then opened so that the water level falls in the lock, lowering the boat to the next level. The bottom gates can then be opened and boat is then free to exit the lock and continue its journey.