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Crinan Canal, Ardrishaig, Water Waster
Sluice (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Crinan Canal, Ardrishaig, Water Waster
Classification Sluice (Period Unassigned)
Alternative Name(s) Hazelburn Cottage
Canmore ID 114372
Site Number NR88NE 24.03
NGR NR 8545 8698
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/114372
- Council Argyll And Bute
- Parish South Knapdale
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Argyll And Bute
- Former County Argyll
NR88NE 24.03 8545 8698
For list of related sites, see NR88NE 24.00 Crinan Canal.
Formerly entered in error as Engine-house and 'Water Waster'.
A more rapid discharge of water from the eastern reach of the canal at Ardrishaig is provided by an automatic offlet or 'water waster' which was designed in 1892 and built in 1895.
G D Hay and G P Stell 1986.
This 'water waster' or automatic off-let near Ardrishaig was designed in 1892, but construction was probably not undertaken until 1895, after which it was operational. It permits, when needed, a more rapid discharge of water from the eastern reach at Ardrishaig than conventional overflows.
RCAHMS 1992.
This feature is not noted as such on the 1978 edition of the OS 1:2500 map. The map depicts, however, what appears to be a rectangular structure at NS 85453 86978.
Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 16 February 2006.
Publication Account (2007)
A water waster was installed between Lock 4 and Oakfield Bridge in 1882 to remove surplus water from the east reach of the canal. It comprises two large iron buckets which are hung at each end of a beam pivoted at its midpoint, forming a see-saw. One arm of the see-saw and its bucket is housed in a concrete chamber which is connected to the canal and filled with water to the same level. The bucket is submerged (and full) and is designed to plug a horizontal orifice leading to a large conduit connecting to nearby Loch Gilp.
When the canal water rises to overflow level it is piped to fill the second larger bucket which, becoming heavier than the first, tips the see-saw. The plug is lifted and water escapes to Loch Gilp. As the canalwater level falls below the overflow pipe, water ceases to enter the second bucket, which empties via the small hole in its base. The see-saw then tips into its original position and closes the plug. It is difficult to see the advantage of this ingenious device, which is reminiscent of Thom’s water wasters at Greenock, over a simple side weir.
R Paxton and Jim Shipway 2007b
Reproduced from 'Civil Engineering heritage: Scotland - Highlands and Islands' with kind permission from Thomas Telford Publishers.
Construction
Installed between Lock 4and Oakfield Bridge to remove surplus water from the east reach of the Crinan Canal (LIN 20).
R Paxton and J Shipway 2007b
Reproduced from 'Civil Engineering heritage: Scotland - Highlands and Islands' with kind permission of Thomas Telford Publishers.
