Iffley Lock

Infobox Waterlock
lock_name = Iffley Lock [ [http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf Statistics from Environment Agency "A User's Guide to the River Thames:Part II"] ]


caption= Iffley Lock from downstream
waterway = River Thames
county = Oxfordshire
maint = Environment Agency
operation = Hydraulic
first = 1631
latest = 1927
length = 154’ 1” (46.96m)
width = 21’ 3” (6.47m)
fall = 2’ 8” 0.81m
sealevel = 178'
enda = Teddington Lock
distenda = 91 miles
endb =
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coordinates= coord|51|43|42.45|N|1|14|25.21|W|
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Iffey Lock is a lock on the River Thames in England near the village of Iffley, Oxfordshire. It is on the southern outskirts of Oxford. The original lock was built by the Oxford-Burcot Commission in 1631 and the Thames Navigation Commission replaced this in 1793. The lock has a set of rollers to allow punts and rowing boats to be moved between the water levels.

In addition the lock and weir streams there is stream further to the east which used to be the Mill Stream.

The weir is downstream of the lock, where the weir stream is joined by the mill stream.

History

which had to enter backwards and take down their masts. Improvements and enlargements were made to the lock in 1802 and 1806 and the stone lockhouse was built in 1810. In 1826, it was ordered that no craft should pass through the lock during the hours of divine service. In the middle of the 19th century there was a problem with water levels below the water and a witness to a parliamentary enquiry reported that cows and horses were sometimes driven into the river to create sufficient draught. The lock was repaired in 1866, and ten years later the lock was being blamed for flooding in Oxford. Although the boat slide was promised in 1885, at the same time the Thames Conservancy were considering removing the lock. However there were many petitions to retain it and it survived. [Fred. S. Thacker "The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs" 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles] The latest rebuilding took place in 1927.

Access to the lock

The lock can be reached on foot on the track from Donnington Bridge on the western side.

Reach above the lock

The river at this point and around Oxford in general is known as the Isis. Donnington Bridge crosses the river upstream of the lock and then the River Cherwell joins the Thames on the northern side. The university college boathouses line the bank on the northern side, followed by Christ Church Meadow. This upstream stretch of the river is used for rowing, and is the location of the University rowing regattas of Torpids and Summer Eights. After Christcurch Meadow is Folly Bridge where are the landing stages for pleasure boats. After Folly bridge, the river runs through suburbs where it is crossed by the Oxford Footbridge. Beyond this is the Osney Footbridge, a converted railway bridge, and the Osney Rail Bridge.

The Thames Path stays on the western side towards South Hinksey until it reaches Osney Lock.

See also

* Locks on the River Thames
* Rowing on the River Thames

References

External links

* [http://www.waterscape.com/servicesdirectory/Iffley_Lock Waterscape.com information]
* [http://www.thames-path.com/ Thames Path Online Guide]