Upper Lode Lock

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Many thanks to The Canal and River Trust for facilitating this camera's location and capitally funding its installation. The lock and weir were constructed in 1858 with the purpose of accommodating the simultaneous passage of a tugboat and its train of barges. This design consideration might explain the peculiar shape of the lock chamber. Up to this point, the river experiences tidal influences, but only when the water level at Sharpness reaches 7.8 meters or more during spring tides. In the context of the River Severn, the term 'lode' refers to a ford. It is worth noting other notable locations such as Lower Lode, Saxon Lode, and Wainlode.Old River Severn, Upper Lode, located in Gloucestershire, holds the designation of a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) since 1985. This site straddles the county borders of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire. Situated on the western side of the Severn, adjacent to Severn Ham and Tewkesbury SSSI, Upper Lode features an old meander that was cut off from the main river flow upon the construction of Upper Lode lock. This secluded backwater has evolved into a tranquil environment that supports a diverse array of habitats. Consequently, it provides a home for various plant species, including at least six nationally rare ones. Over time, sedimentation has occurred in the channel's farthest section from the main river, resulting in the formation of rough grassland areas where historical spoil deposits are found. The range of habitats within the area encompasses open water, marginal mud, inland saltmarsh, willow carr, neutral grassland, scrub, and woodland.It is important to note that the water level in the channel is regulated by the main river, resulting in fluctuations characteristic of the Severn's tidal nature.