Editing Caistor Canal (section)

==Today==
[[File:CaistorCanalDredging-Geograph-1797856-by-Kate-Nicol.jpg|thumb|right|Parts of the channel were dredged in 2010 to improve flood defences.]]
The canal is no longer navigable, and is maintained by the [[Environment Agency]] as a main drainage channel. The remains of the lower five lock chambers and the abutments of the tow-path bridge where the River Ancholme towpath crossed the canal are now [[grade II listed]] structures.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/localplan/written/cpt17.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055254/http://www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/localplan/written/cpt17.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 |title=Local Plan: Appendix 4: ''Schedule of listed buildings'' (Entries for South Kelsey) |publisher=West Lindsey District Council}}</ref> Despite being closed, two narrowboats successfully reached the first lock in 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/Tour_02/Tour02_7.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622062322/http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/Tour_02/Tour02_7.html |archive-date=22 June 2017 |url-status=live |title=2002 Cruise Log |publisher=Tuesday Night Club}}</ref>

As a response to the flooding of homes in [[South Kelsey]] during the summer of 2007, the [[Environment Agency]] dredged part of the canal to return it to its original depth in March 2010. Around {{convert|1|mi|km}} of the bed, between the locks either side of South Kelsey village, was affected by the work, which increases the capacity of the watercourse and reduces the risk of future flooding. The channel had been impeded by several sand bars that had developed, and these were removed as part of the project. Environmental consultants assisted with the work, to ensure that the resident population of [[Arvicola|water voles]] were not harmed by the operation.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/news/Caistor-Canal-flood-defence-improvements/article-1931107-detail/article.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120915071827/http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/news/Caistor-Canal-flood-defence-improvements/article-1931107-detail/article.html |archive-date=15 September 2012 |title=Caistor Canal flood defence improvements |work=Grimsby Telegraph |date=22 March 2010 | access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref>