History of the Middle Level Navigations
Flood banks were built to protect the silt areas from flooding as early as Roman times but it was the 17th Century before any comprehensive drainage scheme was attempted. The Dutchman Sir Cornelius Vermuyden reclaimed much of the land by massive workings that included the cuts of the Old and New Bedford rivers to bypass the meandering Great Ouse, together with storage areas and drainage channels to provide more direct routes to the outfalls.
The improved drainage led to land shrinkage, and by the 18th century, pumps were required to lift water into the rivers. The channels provided navigational links between areas of population and so were used for shifting cargoes, first to market and latterly to railheads. Competition from the railways eventually led to the demise of waterborne commercial traffic but the levels continued to serve their essential function in land drainage.
The Bedford Level Corporation were responsible for the works until 1862 but an Act of Parliament of that year saw the formation of the Middle Level Commissioners (MLC) who have since administered the area. Shrinkage of the land continues, but improvements are continuous, and despite the Fens having some of the lowest land in Britain there has been no major flooding for many years.
Navigators should be aware that MLC are first and foremost a drainage authority so their drainage management function after, for example, heavy rains can temporarily affect water levels. More curious is the phenomenon of wind action along the long straight stretches that can stack water up by drawing it from one end to the other thereby affecting bridge clearances.
The Fens offer all aspects of waterside leisure and amenity including museums, historic camps, boat hire, fishing, wildlife, cycling and walking trails and a huge nature reserve which is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest at Woodwalton. There are plans to connect the Fenland waterways with those of Lincoln.
