Information for boaters - Black Sluice Navigation (Forty Foot Drain)

The Black Sluice Navigation is on the South Forty Foot Drain, an artificial drainage river in Lincolnshire. It lies between Guthram Gowt and the Black Sluice pumping station on The Haven at Boston. Unused for nearly 40 years, it re-opened in 2009. It’s a typical Fen drain, providing 31km (19 miles) of navigation into the west of Boston in Lincolnshire.

You can read the  Black Sluice Navigation useful guide (PDF, 548 KB, 2 pages) to find out more.

You need a registration to use the Black Sluice Navigation. You can buy a 1-day and a 7-day visitor registration.

Call the Environment Agency on 0370 850 6506 (see call charges) to get a licence and a navigation key to use their moorings.

Visit the Inland Waterways Association website to see the Fens Waterways map and about the Waterways Link project.

To enter the Black Sluice Navigation you need to pass through the Black Sluice lock. The lock connects the Black Sluice Navigation with the tidal Boston Haven.

Lock keeping hours at Black Sluice Lock, Boston (South Forty Foot / Black Sluice Navigation)

Black Sluice Lock requires at least 48 hours’ notice to arrange staffing from the Environment Agency.  Bookings are dependent on tidal conditions and can only be accommodated during suitable daylight locking windows.

To request a booking, call 07825 503 848.

Bookings may have to be postponed or cancelled due to:

The Environment Agency will try to give as much warning as possible if these situations occur.