associated drainage system fell entirely out of repair. In order to restore proper drainage to the surrounding land, the canal was taken over by the Ancholme drainage authority in 1936, after a formal abandonment order, the Caistor Canal Act Revocation Order, had been obtained for the navigation under the Land Drainage Act 1930. The canal was a broad canal, with locks long and wide, and so would have been suitable for the Humber Keels which were used on many of the waterways connected to the Humber. Today The canal is no longer navigable, and is maintained by the Environment Agency as a main drainage channel. The remains of the lower five lock chambers and the abutments of the tow-path bridge where the River Ancholme towpath crossed the canal are now grade II listed structures. Despite being closed, two narrowboats successfully reached the first lock in 2002. As a response to the flooding of homes in South Kelsey during the summer of 2007, the Environment Agency dredged part of the canal to return it to its original depth in March 2010. Around of the bed, between the locks either side of South Kelsey village, was affected by the work, which increases the capacity of the watercourse and reduces the risk of future flooding. The channel had been impeded by several sand bars that had developed, and these were removed as part of the project. Environmental consultants assisted with the work, to ensure that the resident population of water voles were not harmed by the operation. Route See also Canals of the United Kingdom History of the British canal system Bibliography References External links Canals in Lincolnshire History of Lincolnshire Canals opened in 1800