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{{Short description|Canalised river in Hertfordshire and London, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}} {{Use British English|date=June 2015}} {{Infobox canal | name = Lee Navigation | image = Lee navigation at bow creek.jpg | image_size = | image_caption = Lee Navigation at Bow Creek | former_names = | modern_name = | original_owner = | engineer = [[Thomas Yeoman]] | other_engineer = Edward Rubie | date_act = 29 June 1767 | date_began = | date_use = <!-- {{Start date|YYYY}} --> | date_completed = 1771 | date_extended = | date_closed = | date_restored = | len_ft = 88 | len_in = 0 | len_m = | original_boat_length_ft = | original_boat_length_in = | original_boat_length_m = | len_note = | beam_ft = 15 | beam_in = 9 | beam_m = | original_beam_ft = | original_beam_in = | original_beam_m = | beam_note = | min_boat_draft = | min_boat_air_draft = | start_point = [[Hertford Castle Weir]] | original_start = | start_note = | end_point = [[River Thames]] | original_end = | end_note = | branch = {{ubl|[[Stort Navigation]]|[[Hertford Union Canal]]|[[Bow Back Rivers]]|[[Limehouse Cut]]}} | branch_of = | connects_to = | locks = 21 | original_num_locks = | lock_note = | length_mi = 27.5 | length_km = | original_length_mi = | original_length_km = | length_note = | elev_ft = | elev_m = | elev_note = | status = Open | navigation_authority = [[Canal & River Trust]] }} {{Lee Navigation Route Map}} The '''Lee Navigation''' is a [[canal]]ised river incorporating the [[River Lea]] (also called the River Lee along the sections that are navigable). It flows from [[Hertford Castle Weir]] to the [[River Thames]] at [[Bow Creek (England)|Bow Creek]]; its first lock is [[Hertford Lock]] and its last [[Bow Locks]]. == Name == The Lee Navigation is named by acts of Parliament and is so marked on [[Ordnance Survey]] maps. Constructed elements and human features are spelled Lee, such as the canal system and [[Lee Valley Park]]. The un-canalized river is spelled Lea, along with other natural features such as [[Lower Lea Valley]]. == History == The River Lea is a major tributary of the [[River Thames]]. It has a long association with navigation, as the marshes of Walthamstow have produced a dugout canoe from the [[Bronze Age]] and parts of a Saxon barge. According to the ''[[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]]'', the river was used by [[Viking]] raiders, and [[King Alfred]] changed the level of the river to strand [[Guthrum]] and his fleet.{{sfn |Boyes |Russell |1977 |p=13}} In more peaceful times, it became important for the transport of grain from [[Hertfordshire]], but navigation of its southernmost tidal reaches of [[Bow Creek (England)|Bow Creek]] were difficult due to its tortuous meanders. {{Infobox UK legislation | short_title = River Lee Navigation Act 1425 | type = Act | parliament = Parliament of England | long_title = Chancellor may award commissions to reform the River Lee. | year = 1425 | citation = [[3 Hen. 6]]. c. 5 | introduced_commons = | introduced_lords = | territorial_extent = | royal_assent = 14 July 1425 | commencement = 30 April 1425 | expiry_date = | repeal_date = | amends = | replaces = | amendments = | repealing_legislation = [[Statute Law Revision Act 1948]] | related_legislation = | status = repealed | legislation_history = | theyworkforyou = | millbankhansard = | original_text = | revised_text = | use_new_UK-LEG = | UK-LEG_title = | collapsed = yes }} {{Infobox UK legislation | short_title = River Lee Navigation Act 1430 | type = Act | parliament = Parliament of England | long_title = The chancellor of England may grant his commission to certain persons to scour, and amend the river Ley in the counties of Essex, Hertford, and Middlesex. | year = 1430 | citation = [[9 Hen. 6]]. c. 9 | introduced_commons = | introduced_lords = | territorial_extent = | royal_assent = 12 January 1431 | commencement = 20 March 1431 | expiry_date = | repeal_date = | amends = | replaces = | amendments = | repealing_legislation = [[Statute Law Revision Act 1948]] | related_legislation = | status = repealed | legislation_history = | theyworkforyou = | millbankhansard = | original_text = | revised_text = | use_new_UK-LEG = | UK-LEG_title = | collapsed = yes }} There is documentary evidence that the river was altered by the Abbot of Waltham to improve navigation in 1190, and in 1221, a pipe was laid across the river, which had to be protected from "the oars or poles of the watermen."<ref name=boyes14>{{harvnb |Boyes |Russell |1977 |p=14}}</ref> The first [[act of Parliament]] for improvement of the river, the '''{{visible anchor|River Lee Navigation Act 1425}}}''' ([[3 Hen. 6]]. c. 5), was granted in 1425,<ref name=priestley>{{harvnb |Priestley |1831 |p=379}}</ref> this also being the first act granted for navigational improvement in [[England]]. A second act was passed in 1430, '''{{visible anchor|River Lee Navigation Act 1430}}''' ([[9 Hen. 6]]. c. 9), and both authorised local landowners to act as commissioners, who could make improvements to the river including scouring or dredging, and could recoup the cost of the work by levying tolls.<ref name=boyes14/> {{Infobox UK legislation | short_title = River Lee Navigation Act 1571 | type = Act | parliament = Parliament of England | long_title = An Acte for the brynging of the Ryver of Lee to the Northside of the Citie of London. | year = 1571 | citation = [[13 Eliz. 1]]. c. 18 | introduced_commons = | introduced_lords = | territorial_extent = | royal_assent = 29 May 1571 | commencement = | expiry_date = | repeal_date = | amends = | replaces = | amendments = | repealing_legislation = [[Statute Law Revision Act 1948]] | related_legislation = | status = repealed | legislation_history = | theyworkforyou = | millbankhansard = | original_text = | revised_text = | use_new_UK-LEG = | UK-LEG_title = | collapsed = yes }} By 1571, the river was an important route for the carriage of grain to London, and the [[City of London]] obtained another act, the '''{{visible anchor|River Lee Navigation Act 1571}}''' ([[13 Eliz. 1]]. c. 18) to authorise improvements. This included making new cuts, and creating towpaths on both sides of the river. Shoals were removed, and a cut, probably the section which is now called Bow River from [[Old Ford Lock]]s to [[Bow Locks]], was excavated, which was not subject to any tolls. The plan for a branch from the river to the north of London was not implemented.{{sfn |Boyes |Russell |1977 |p=16}} One innovation was the construction of a [[Lock (water transport)|pound lock]] at [[Waltham Abbey (town)|Waltham Abbey]], Essex, in 1577. This had mitred gates at each end,<ref name=nic>{{harvnb |Nicholson |2006 |p=100}}</ref> and was probably the second lock to be built in England, although it was the first to be built on a river. It inspired Vallens to write a poem entitled "A tale of Two Swannes" about it in 1590. It was {{convert|70|by|24|ft|m}}, with wooden sides.{{sfn|Boyes |Russell |1977 |pp=16β17}} The remainder of the control of levels was carried out by "[[Flash lock|staunches]]" or "turnpikes", consisting of a single vertically lifting gate in a weir, through which boats were pulled against the current. The [[New River (London)|New River]] was an attempt to supply clean water from near Ware to the citizens of London, which was completed in 1633. However, the springs at [[Great Amwell]] soon proved to be inadequate, and water was drawn from the Lea. The increased extraction of water had a detrimental effect on milling and navigation, and by the early 1700s it had become clear that major work would be needed to produce a solution.{{sfn |Boyes |Russell |1977 |p=17}} ===Smeaton's design=== {{Infobox UK legislation | short_title = River Lee Navigation Act 1738 | type = Act | parliament = Parliament of Great Britain | long_title = An Act for ascertaining, preserving, and improving, the Navigation of the River Lee, from the Town of Hertford, to the Town of Ware, in the County of Hertford; and for preserving and improving the said River, from the said Town of Ware, to the new Cut, or River, made by the Mayor, Commonalty, and Citizens of London; and for enabling the Governor and Company of The New River the better to supply the Cities of London and Westminster, and the Liberties and Suburbs thereof, with good and wholesome Water. | year = 1738 | citation = [[12 Geo. 2]]. c. 32 | introduced_commons = | introduced_lords = | territorial_extent = | royal_assent = 13 June 1739 | commencement = | expiry_date = | repeal_date = | amends = | replaces = | amendments = | repealing_legislation = | related_legislation = | status = | legislation_history = | theyworkforyou = | millbankhansard = | original_text = | revised_text = | use_new_UK-LEG = | UK-LEG_title = | collapsed = yes }} A petition was presented to [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]] resulting in the '''{{visible anchor|River Lee Navigation Act 1738}}''' ([[12 Geo. 2]]. c. 32).<ref name=priestley/> While recognising the right of the [[New River Company]] to extract water, it also enshrined the rights of the millers and bargemen. To resolve a problem where the New River works had blocked the Manifold Ditch, and boats had been forced to use the mill stream to Ware Mill, the mill was bought by the company, and the associated lock became an official right of way. The previous administration by commissioners was replaced by a body of trustees, which it was hoped would be better able to manage the navigation. Although at least two [[flash lock]]s were built, including one to assist passage past the mill at Broxbourne, there was still friction between the bargemen and the millers, since the use of a flash lock tended to lower the water level above it, to the detriment of the mill. In 1765, the trustees therefore asked [[John Smeaton]] to assess the navigation and make recommendations for its improvement.{{sfn |Boyes |Russell |1977 |pp=18β20}} {{Infobox UK legislation | short_title = River Lee Navigation Act 1767 | type = Act | parliament = Parliament of Great Britain | long_title = An Act for improving the Navigation of the River Lee, from the Town of Hertford, to the River Thames and for extending the said Navigation to the Flood Gates belonging to the Town Mill in the said Town of Hertford. | year = 1767 | citation = [[7 Geo. 3]]. c. 51 | introduced_commons = | introduced_lords = | territorial_extent = | royal_assent = 29 June 1767 | commencement = | expiry_date = | repeal_date = | amends = | replaces = | amendments = | repealing_legislation = | related_legislation = | status = | legislation_history = | theyworkforyou = | millbankhansard = | original_text = | revised_text = | use_new_UK-LEG = | UK-LEG_title = | collapsed = yes }} Smeaton made a survey of the river and produced a report in 1766, in which he recorded that there were 18 staunches at the time, with a lock at Ware and tidal gates at [[Bow, London|Bow]]. He recommended that the staunches should be replaced by pound locks, and that several new cuts should be made. These recommendations formed the basis for a parliamentary [[Bill (proposed law)|bill]], which was opposed by the owners of the [[Shoreditch]] to [[London Borough of Enfield|Enfield]] turnpike road, the [[West Ham]] waterworks and the [[Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills]], who were all concerned that their rights would be affected. However, the trustees were granted an act, the '''{{visible anchor|River Lee Navigation Act 1767}}''' ([[7 Geo. 3]]. c. 51), on 29 June and appointed [[Thomas Yeoman]] to oversee the work at their first meeting held two days later.<ref name=boyes>{{harvnb |Boyes |Russell |1977 |pp=20β21}}</ref> The act authorised the construction of several new stretches of canal, including the [[Edmonton, London|Edmonton]] Cut from Flanders Weir at [[Chingford]] to the mill stream at [[Walthamstow]], the [[Hackney Cut]] from [[Lea Bridge]] to [[Old Ford]], and the [[Limehouse Cut]] to bypass the tight bends of [[Bow Creek (England)|Bow Creek]] near the [[River Thames]]. Yeoman was also responsible for setting out towing paths, designing 35 roving bridges, and construction of lock gates. For the Limehouse Cut, Yeoman proposed a cut from Bow tidal gates to Dingley's Wharf at [[Limehouse]], which would shorten the distance to London considerably, since it would avoid the long passage around the [[Isle of Dogs]]. Mr Dingley, owner of the wharf and a trustee, was awarded part of the contract, and the cut was expected to open on 2 July 1770, but some brickwork failed and had to be repaired. A bridge collapsed in December, but traffic soon developed, and the cut had to be widened to allow barges to pass one another along its entire length. The widening was completed on 1 September 1777.{{sfn |Boyes |Russell |1977 |pp=21β22}} {{Infobox UK legislation | short_title = {{visible anchor|River Lee Navigation Act 1779}} | type = Act | parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom | long_title = An Act for preserving the Navigation of the River Lee, in the Counties of Hertford, Essex and Middlesex. | year = 1779 | citation = [[19 Geo. 3]]. c. 58 | introduced_commons = | introduced_lords = | territorial_extent = | royal_assent = 31 May 1779 | commencement = | expiry_date = | repeal_date = | amends = | replaces = | amendments = | repealing_legislation = | related_legislation = | status = | legislation_history = | theyworkforyou = | millbankhansard = | original_text = | revised_text = | use_new_UK-LEG = | UK-LEG_title = | collapsed = yes }} The trustees decided to finance the work with a loan, and advertisements appeared in the ''[[London Gazette]]'' and other newspapers, indicating that they wished to raise Β£35,000. The response was huge, with Β£161,500 being offered, and subscribers were chosen by ballot. Yeoman was overworked, and Edward Rubie was appointed to assist him in February 1769. New cuts and pound locks were opened at [[Waltham Abbey]], [[Edmonton, London|Edmonton]] and [[Hackney Marshes|Hackney]] in 1769. In total, {{convert|11|mi|km}} of new cuts were constructed, with 12 new locks. Some on the locks, such as [[Homerton]] Lock and [[Pickett's Lock (lock)|Pickett's Lock]], were built on new sections, while others, such as [[Stanstead Lock]], replaced an existing flash-lock. The works were completed to a tight schedule, and with most of it finished, Yeoman resigned in July 1771, although the reasons for his resignation were not recorded.{{sfn|Boyes |Russell |1977 |pp=22β23}} ===Development=== {{Infobox UK legislation | short_title = {{visible anchor|Lee Navigation Improvement Act 1805}} | type = Act | parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom | long_title = | year = 1805 | citation = [[45 Geo. 3]]. c. lxix | introduced_commons = | introduced_lords = | territorial_extent = | royal_assent = | commencement = | expiry_date = | repeal_date = | amends = | replaces = | amendments = | repealing_legislation = | related_legislation = | status = | legislation_history = | theyworkforyou = | millbankhansard = | original_text = | revised_text = | use_new_UK-LEG = | UK-LEG_title = | collapsed = yes }} {{Infobox UK legislation | short_title = Lee Navigation Improvement Act 1850 | type = Act | parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom | long_title = An Act to alter and amend the Acts relating to the Navigation of the River Lee in the Counties of Hertford, Essex, and Middlesex; and to enable the Trustees further to improve the Navigation and to dispose of the surplus Water; and for other Purposes. | year = 1850 | citation = [[13 & 14 Vict.]] c. cix | introduced_commons = | introduced_lords = | territorial_extent = | royal_assent = 14 August 1850 | commencement = | expiry_date = | repeal_date = | amends = | replaces = | amendments = | repealing_legislation = | related_legislation = | status = | legislation_history = | theyworkforyou = | millbankhansard = | original_text = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Vict/13-14/109/pdfs/ukla_18500109_en.pdf | revised_text = | use_new_UK-LEG = | UK-LEG_title = | collapsed = yes }} {{Infobox UK legislation | short_title = River Lee Water Act 1855 | type = Act | parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom | long_title = An Act for transferring Part of the Property and Powers of the Trustees of the River Lee; and for the Amendment of the Acts of the New River Company, the East London Waterworks Company, and the said Trustees; and for other Purposes. | year = 1855 | citation = [[18 & 19 Vict.]] c. cxcvi | introduced_commons = | introduced_lords = | territorial_extent = | royal_assent = 14 August 1855 | commencement = | expiry_date = | repeal_date = | amends = | replaces = | amendments = | repealing_legislation = | related_legislation = | status = | legislation_history = | theyworkforyou = | millbankhansard = | original_text = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Vict/18-19/196/pdfs/ukla_18550196_en.pdf | revised_text = | use_new_UK-LEG = | UK-LEG_title = | collapsed = yes }} {{Infobox UK legislation | short_title = Lee Conservancy Act 1868 | type = Act | parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom | long_title = | year = 1868 | citation = [[31 & 32 Vict.]] c. cliv | introduced_commons = | introduced_lords = | territorial_extent = | royal_assent = | commencement = | expiry_date = | repeal_date = | amends = | replaces = | amendments = | repealing_legislation = | related_legislation = | status = | legislation_history = | theyworkforyou = | millbankhansard = | original_text = | revised_text = | use_new_UK-LEG = | UK-LEG_title = | collapsed = yes }} There were further improvements throughout the 19th century, including the '''{{visible anchor|Lee Navigation Improvement Act 1850}}''' ([[13 & 14 Vict.]] c. cix) to authorise new lock cuts at [[Hoddesdon]], [[Carthagena Lock]] ([[Broxbourne]]), Waltham Marsh, [[Tottenham]], [[Walthamstow]], [[Hackney Marshes|Hackney]], [[Leyton]] and [[Bromley-by-Bow]] and new locks at Hunter's Gate (Bow Bridge) and Old Ford. The '''{{visible anchor|River Lee Water Act 1855}}''' ([[18 & 19 Vict.]] c. cxcvi) authorised a new lock at Amwell Marsh and the removal of [[Stanstead Lock]]. [[Edmonton, London|Edmonton]] Lock was to be removed and [[Pickett's Lock (lock)|Pickett's Lock]] rebuilt. In 1868 the '''{{visible anchor|Lee Conservancy Act 1868}}''' ([[31 & 32 Vict.]] c. cliv) formed the Lee Conservancy Board to take over control of the river from the former trustees. They established the [[Lee Conservancy Police]], who policed the Lee until merged with the [[British Transport Police]] in 1948.<ref>{{cite web|last=Major|first=Graham|title=Canal Policing after 1948|url=http://www.btphg.org.uk/?page_id=3620|work=Website of the British Transport Police History Group|date=29 July 2013 |publisher=British Transport Police History Group|access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref> The Lee Navigation bought the [[Stort Navigation]] in 1911,<ref name=nic/> and instituted further improvements, including reconstruction of the locks between Enfield and Hertford, the width being increased from {{convert|13|to|16|ft|m}}: by the 1930s, 130-ton barges could reach [[London Borough of Enfield|Enfield]], and 100-ton barges to [[Ware, Hertfordshire|Ware]] and [[Hertford]].<ref name=nic/> The navigation was nationalised in 1948, and control passed to the [[British Transport Commission]]. Where possible the locks from [[Bow Locks]] through to [[Ponder's End Lock]] were duplicated and mechanised - the only exception being [[Pickett's Lock (lock)|Pickett's Lock]]. In 1962, the [[British Transport Commission]] was wound up, and control passed to the [[British Waterways|British Waterways Board]]. Commercial traffic effectively ended in the 1980s. During the 1950s horse-drawn [[Lighter (barge)|lighters]] were still journeying as far as [[Hertford]]. By 1980 commercial traffic extended no higher than the [[Enfield Rolling Mills]] at [[Brimsdown Industrial Estate|Brimsdown]], with just one tug, the ''Vassal'', regularly at work on the river. Powered by a 120 [[Horsepower|hp]] [[L. Gardner and Sons|Gardner diesel engine]], she would typically tow a train of two lighters loaded with timber from [[Bow, London|Bow]] to Hahn's Wharf at [[Edmonton, London|Edmonton]]. There are efforts currently underway to revive commercial traffic on the canal with a plan to transport rubbish for incineration at the [[Edmonton Incinerator]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article521162.ece |title=Canal report |publisher=Times on line |access-date=7 Jan 2008}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> ===Governance{{anchor|Lee Conservancy Act 1900|Lee Conservancy Act 1921}}=== {{Infobox UK legislation | short_title = {{visible anchor|Lee Conservancy Act 1874}} | type = Act | parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom | long_title = | year = 1874 | citation = [[37 & 38 Vict.]] c. xcvi | introduced_commons = | introduced_lords = | territorial_extent = | royal_assent = | commencement = | expiry_date = | repeal_date = | amends = | replaces = | amendments = | repealing_legislation = | related_legislation = | status = | legislation_history = | theyworkforyou = | millbankhansard = | original_text = | revised_text = | use_new_UK-LEG = | UK-LEG_title = | collapsed = yes }} {{Infobox UK legislation | short_title = Lee Conservancy Act 1900 | type = Act | parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom | long_title = | year = 1900 | citation = [[63 & 64 Vict.]] c. cxvii | introduced_commons = | introduced_lords = | territorial_extent = | royal_assent = 30 July 1900 | commencement = | expiry_date = | repeal_date = | amends = | replaces = | amendments = | repealing_legislation = | related_legislation = | status = | legislation_history = | theyworkforyou = | millbankhansard = | original_text = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Vict/63-64/117/pdfs/ukla_19000117_en.pdf | revised_text = | use_new_UK-LEG = | UK-LEG_title = | collapsed = yes }} {{Infobox UK legislation | short_title = Lee Conservancy Act 1921 | type = Act | parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom | long_title = | year = 1921 | citation = [[11 & 12 Geo. 5]]. c. lxxviii | introduced_commons = | introduced_lords = | territorial_extent = | royal_assent = 17 August 1921 | commencement = | expiry_date = | repeal_date = | amends = | replaces = | amendments = | repealing_legislation = | related_legislation = | status = | legislation_history = | theyworkforyou = | millbankhansard = | original_text = | revised_text = | use_new_UK-LEG = | UK-LEG_title = | collapsed = yes }} {{Infobox UK legislation | short_title = Lee Conservancy Catchment Board Act 1936 | type = Act | parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom | long_title = | year = 1936 | citation = [[26 Geo. 5 & 1 Edw. 8]]. c. lxviii | introduced_commons = | introduced_lords = | territorial_extent = | royal_assent = 14 July 1936 | commencement = | expiry_date = | repeal_date = | amends = | replaces = | amendments = | repealing_legislation = | related_legislation = | status = | legislation_history = | theyworkforyou = | millbankhansard = | original_text = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Geo5and1Edw8/26/68/pdfs/ukla_19360068_en.pdf | revised_text = | use_new_UK-LEG = | UK-LEG_title = | collapsed = yes }} With the passing of the [[Land Drainage Act 1930]] ([[20 & 21 Geo. 5]]. c. 44), the Lee Conservancy area was treated as a special case, with details laid out in section 80 of that act. The Lee Conservancy Catchment Board was created, which inherited some of the powers conferred by the Lee Conservancy Acts, dating from 1870 to 1921, and gave it additional powers in common with other catchment boards, the most important of which was that they could levy rates on county councils and county borough councils throughout their catchment area, to fund drainage works.{{sfn |Wisdom |1966 |pp=2,93}} The members of the catchment board consisted of all the members of the Lee Conservancy Board, together with six additional members.<ref name=lea-heritage>{{cite web |url=https://leabridge.org.uk/rivers-bridges-and-weirs/river-lee-trustees-and-lee.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105060530/https://leabridge.org.uk/rivers-bridges-and-weirs/river-lee-trustees-and-lee.html |archive-date=5 January 2020 |url-status=live |title=History of managing the Lea |publisher=Lea Bridge heritage}}</ref> The board were given additional powers, enabling them to hold land without a licence in [[mortmain]], as a result of the '''{{visible anchor|Lee Conservancy Catchment Board Act 1936}}''' ([[26 Geo. 5 & 1 Edw. 8]]. c. lxviii). Further change occurred on 1 January 1948, as a result of the [[Transport Act 1947]] ([[10 & 11 Geo. 6]]. c. 49). Some of the functions of the conservancy board were taken over by the [[British Transport Commission]], when most of the operational canals and waterways were nationalised, and the board was then disbanded. However, where the board had responsibilities for water supply, fisheries, the control of pollution and land drainage, these functions were transferred to the Lee Conservancy Catchment Board. This was authorised by the Lee Conservancy Catchment Board (Additional Functions) Regulations 1947 ([[SR&O 1947]]/2797).{{sfn |Wisdom |1966 |p=93}} The [[River Boards Act 1948]] ([[11 & 12 Geo. 6]]. c. 32) saw the formation of [[river board]]s to replace [[catchment board]]s throughout England and Wales, but the Lee Conservancy Catchment Board, together with the Thames Conservancy Catchment Board, were excluded from this.{{sfn |Wisdom |1966 |p=2}} River boards were replaced by [[river authority|river authorities]] as a result of the [[Water Resources Act 1963]] (c. 38), but again the Lee Conservancy was treated as a special case. It made provision that the responsibilities for water conservation outlined in that act could be given to the Lee Conservancy Catchment Board by the joint decision of the [[Ministry of Housing and Local Government|Minister of Housing and Local Government]], the [[Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food]], and the [[Secretary of State for Transport|Minister of Transport]]. Those provisions, somewhat modified for the special circumstances of the catchment area, were conferred by the Lee Conservancy Catchment Board (New Functions of River Authorities) Order 1965 ([[SI 1965]]/701).{{sfn |Wisdom |1966 |p=93}} The transport functions of the waterway were transferred to the British Waterways Board, subsequently known as [[British Waterways]], from 1 January 1963, as part of the breakup of the British Transport Commission authorised by the [[Transport Act 1962]]. These functions are now managed by the [[Canal and River Trust]], a charitable organisation that took over the role of British Waterways from 2 July 2012. There have been three further changes in the environmental management of the waterway. The [[Water Act 1973]] (c. 37) abolished river authorities, and created ten [[regional water authority|regional water authorities]]. The Lee Conservancy was no longer a special case, and became part of the Thames Water Authority. This structure lasted until the passing of the [[Water Act 1989]] (c. 15), which split the water authorities apart, privatising the water supply, sewerage and sewage disposal functions, and transferring the environmental management of river systems including the Lee to the [[National Rivers Authority]]. The final change was a result of the [[Environment Act 1995]] (c. 25), which abolished the National Rivers Authority and replaced it by the [[Environment Agency]].<ref name=lea-heritage/> ==Recreation== Much of the Lee Navigation is within [[Lee Valley Park]], a multi-county [[regional park]] and [[open space reserve|open space preserve]]. Local jurisdictions also maintain parks on the canals in Lee Valley Park. The [[Lea Valley Walk]], a {{convert|50|mi|km|adj=on}} [[Long-distance trail|long-distance]] [[Footpath|public walking path]] and [[bicycle trail]] from the [[headwaters]] to the Thames [[confluence]], follows the canal [[towpath]]s in the Lee Navigation section. ==Photo gallery== <gallery heights="140" mode="packed"> File:Old ford lock lea navigation.jpg|[[Old Ford Lock]], Lee Navigation File:HertfordBasin.jpg|[[Hertford Basin]], the first marina on the Navigation File:River Lee Navigation.JPG|Looking west from the [[A406 road|North Circular Road]] at Edmonton File:CarthagenaLock.jpg|Carthagena Lock File:FishandEels.jpg|Fish and Eels [[Public house|pub]] at [[Dobbs Weir]] File:River Lee Navigation,Tottenham.JPG|Workboat ''Enfield'' on the river at Tottenham File:Lock Keeper Cottages.jpg|Lock-keeper's cottages at [[Old Ford Lock]], used for filming ''[[The Big Breakfast]]'' File:2023-06-08 Ware WelcomeStation.jpg|[[Ware, Hertfordshire|Ware]] Welcome Station </gallery> ==See also== {{Portal|United Kingdom|Transport}} *[[Bow Back Rivers]] *[[Canals of Great Britain]] *[[History of the British canal system]] ==Bibliography== {{Refbegin}} *{{cite book |first1=John |last1=Boyes |first2=Ronald |last2=Russell |year=1977 |title=The Canals of Eastern England |publisher=[[David & Charles]] |isbn=978-0-7153-7415-3 }} *{{Cite book |first=Jane |last=Cumberlidge |title=Inland Waterways of Great Britain (8th Ed.) |publisher=Imray Laurie Norie and Wilson |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-84623-010-3 }} *{{Cite book |last=Nicholson |author-link=Nicholson Guides |title=Nicholson Guides Vol 1: Grand Union, Oxford & the South East |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-00-721109-8 }} *{{Cite book |first=Edward |last=Paget-Tomlinson |year=1994 |title=The Illustrated History of Canal & River Navigations |publisher=[[Sheffield Academic Press]] |isbn=978-1-85075-277-6 }} *{{cite book |url=http://www.jim-shead.com/waterways/sdoc.php?wpage=PNRC0381#PNRC381 |first=Joseph |last=Priestley |year=1831 |title=Historical Account of the Navigable Rivers, Canals and Railways of Great Britain |publisher=Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green }} * {{cite book |first=A S |last=Wisdom |title=Land Drainage |year=1966 |location=London |publisher=Sweet & Maxwell }} {{Refend}} ===References=== {{Reflist}} ==External links== {{Commons category|Lee Navigation}} *[https://archive.today/20150201083118/http://www.londoncanals.uk/dexical/rivers.html River Lee Navigation] *[http://www.petermarshallphotos.co.uk/p_enfield_edmonton.html Photographs of Edmonton timber wharves (1983)] *[http://www.chelmercanaltrust.co.uk/nl33.htm Photo of the last horse-drawn barge (1955)] *[http://www.leeandstort.co.uk/index.htm History of the locks on the Lee & Stort Navigation] *[http://leeandstort.co.uk/Fairclough/THE%20NAVIGATION%20OF%20THE%20RIVER%20LEE.pdf History of the Lee Navigation (1190β1790)] *[http://www.thames21.org.uk/project/lovethelea/ Love the Lea project] *[http://lsms.mister.red/ images & map of mile markers seen along the Lee & Stort Navigations] {{Locks and Weirs on River Lee England}} {{Canals of Britain}} {{Coord|51.6258|N|0.0325|W|display=title}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Navigation}} [[Category:Lee Navigation| ]] [[Category:Canals opened in 1777]]
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