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How do sluices control the water level inside a lock chamber?
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canals and inland waterways
The Oudegracht (Old Canal), Utrecht, Netherlands.
Sluices control the water level inside a lock chamber by facilitating the filling or emptying of the basin to match the level of the adjacent pound. By operating these sluices, water is either drawn into or out of the chamber until the water level is equalized, allowing the lock gates to be opened safely.1
The specific mechanism depends on the size of the canal:
- Small canals: Sluices are often located directly on the lock gates themselves.1
- Large canals: Sluices are typically integrated into culverts built into the lock structure. These culverts feature openings that lead into the chamber through the floor or the sidewalls.1
The design of these openings is critical; while the size of the culverts dictates the speed of the operation, the number and placement of the openings are engineered to minimize turbulence within the chamber, ensuring a balance between operational efficiency and safety for the vessels inside.1