Since our last update in July, work has continued at Grand Sluice to prepare the structure for its full refurbishment. Our contractors Jackson Civil Engineering Ltd. have been carefully installing stop log liners. These are essential as they will allow us to safely dewater the channels when the main refurbishment begins.

Working with the tides on the downstream side has been particularly challenging. At low tide, the team can work on the bottom sections in dry conditions. But when the tide is higher, they need boats to install the liners.

Upstream, significant work has taken place on the apron. Many of the timbers here are thought to have been in place since the sluice was built, making them over 250 years old! They have worn down over time as sand and gravel has passed through the sluice. These are now being replaced with new oak timbers to create a strong and even surface.

As winter approaches, we will be pausing works at the sluice. This is a planned step to reduce flood risk and make sure the gates stay fully operational during wetter months. This approach follows best practice and was also used in the 1980's when the large timber tidal doors were refurbished. Pausing now also avoids the risk of costly delays if flooding were to force work to stop unexpectedly.

While the sluice works pause, the contractor’s compound near Boston Rowing Club will be made smaller. The site will still be used to support other works on the Lower Witham.

We expect to return to site in spring 2026 to continue the refurbishment. This will include replacing the gates. In the meantime, our project team will be finalising the detailed designs for these new gates, which will form the core of the main works.

A contractor installing stop log liners on on the downstream side of Grand Sluice.

Contractors working on the downstream side of Grand Sluice during low tide.

We are pleased to share the Full Business Case for this part of project has been approved. This means the team can now move ahead with delivering works on the ground, where funding allows.

Preparations are already underway. The works have been put out to tender, and we've recently completed the evaluation process. Our preferred supplier will be announced by the end of October. In the meantime, the team is identifying areas where vegetation will need to be removed to reduce flood risk and allow space for maintenance works. We're also working with Lincolnshire County Council to apply for any necessary footpath closures.

When we remove habitat such as trees and bushes for flood defence work, we must replace it elsewhere. This is known as mitigation. We are now planning the first phase of mitigation planting to replace vegetation removed during the embankment works. This will include planting new trees.

The work will take place next to Hardy Gang Wood, part of the Bardney Limewoods and a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). While the new planting won’t automatically become part of the SSSI, the team is planning to use a similar mix of tree species to complement the existing woodland.

We are working closely with partners including Lincolnshire County Council, the Internal Drainage Board, Natural England, Forestry England, and the tenant farmer to make sure the planting fits with their needs and the local landscape.

Land where mitigation plating will take place.

It is recognised it will take time to agree on and put in place a more long-term and resilient approach to managing flood risk in the project area. In the meantime, it’s important we’re ready for any flooding that might happen.

Last year, we started work on the Sustainable Recovery Pilot Contingency Plan, a short-term approach while we work on the bigger picture. Partners came together to share their plans, procedures and information on how they operate assets like pumps and penstocks.

We used this local knowledge to work out which actions work best, which ones to avoid, and where we need to think carefully. The aim is to make sure we’re all working together in the most effective way to support the community if flooding happens.

Recently teams from the Environment Agency and Witham Third District Internal Drainage Board have been trialling this plan ahead of the winter, running through a simulation as well as getting out on site to visit and learn about key locations.

The Sustainable Recovery Pilot project is a Fens 2100+ pilot project. Fens 2100+ is developing a Fens-wide approach to managing flood risk in a way that balances the needs of people, the environment and agriculture, both now and in the future.

Witham Third District Internal Drainage Board and Environment Agency staff at New Cut Drain penstock.

On 01 July 2025 our area, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire (LNA), entered Prolonged Dry Weather Status (PDW). The end of August and beginning of September saw wetter weather. This had a beneficial impact on rivers however groundwater levels largely remain below long term-term averages for this time of year. Based on current predictions, even a winter that sees average rainfall will not be enough to recharge these vital supplies.

Dry weather and flooding

During dry weather it is important to remain vigilant and prepared for flooding, particularly ‘surface water’ flooding. The extremely dry conditions we are experiencing increase that risk, with hard, dry ground having the same effect as roads and paved surfaces in sudden rainfall events. In extreme conditions, it can also cause rivers to rise very quickly increasing the risk of ‘fluvial’ flooding.

How you can help

We can all do our part to use water wisely and manage this precious resource.

• Visit Waterwise for useful water saving tips and resources.
• For drought-related concerns, contact Anglian Water via their website or by phone. The specific "drought" contact is drought@anglianwater.co.uk. You can find information and report issues on their website, Anglian Water.
• Report sightings of fish in distress or other impact on the environment by telephoning our 24hr incident hotline: 0800 807060 or via our new online reporting process which can be accessed here: Report an environmental problem - GOV.UK.

Useful links

More information is available on our website: Dry Weather Information 2025 | Engage Environment Agency.

GOV.UK blogs - Drought impacts continue despite changeable weather – Creating a better place , Winter farm preparation: a guide for farmers after a dry season – Creating a better place

Drought summary reports are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dry-weather-and-drought-in-england-summary-reports.

Should you have any questions or need to contact us further, please do not hesitate to do so using the email address: LNcorrespondence@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Our Flood Resilience Team has made improvements to the Flood Warning Service for communities along the River Witham between Lincoln and Boston.

From now on, flood warnings will be issued for either a breach or overtopping scenario. Traditionally Flood Warnings are issued when overtopping is expected to affect property. It will now be possible to let communities know about a breach as soon as we become aware.

The existing five fluvial Flood Warning Areas for the River Witham have been divided into 21 smaller areas to make warnings more specific. Six additional Flood Warning Areas have also been created for places that are not at risk from overtopping but could still be affected if a breach happened. These changes, going live this month, will make warnings timelier and reduce false alarms for those unlikely to be affected.

To sign up for flood warnings, go to www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188. You can also check current flood warnings and river levels at www.gov.uk/check-flooding.

The team is also trying out a new way to raise awareness about flood risks with Flood Ready Eddie, an interactive AI chatbot. Residents in the Lower Witham can 'chat' with Eddie by scanning a QR code or sending a text, to learn how to stay safe and prepared.

If you’d like more details about the changes in your area or can help spread the word about Flood Ready Eddie through social media, newsletters, or postcards, please contact the Flood Resilience Team at frt.lincsandnorthants@environment-agency.gov.uk

Lower Witham Flood Ready Eddie

Work is continuing on the strategic baseline report for the area. This report will summarise the evidence gathered about the catchment. It will be used to inform the future strategic plan for the area.

Work on building the Lower Witham hydraulic model is currently paused, due to the need to incorporate more data across the whole Witham catchment following the winter storms of 2023/2024.

When completed the modelling will allow us to better understand how a range of scenarios would affect water levels and flood defences, taking into account the latest evidence and projections for climate change.

Work on the model is expected to restart in summer 2025 and deliver by spring 2026. Future scenarios to be tested using the model will include hypothetical breach locations and different management and maintenance approaches.

Preparatory works for the Grand Sluice Refurbishment have now begun.

Our contractors, Jackson Civil Engineering Ltd., are on site and have set up a compound behind the Boston Rowing Club. This will be used as their working area. A barge is also in position on the water to transport materials from the compound to Grand Sluice and is equipped with a crane that will be used during the works.

This summer’s work will involve installing stop log grooves in each of the three channels, preparing Grand Sluice for the main refurbishment works, which are scheduled to begin in summer 2026.

In May, the project team hosted drop in events within the community. These were held at both Fenside Community Centre and the Boston Market.

Over 50 people attended to learn more about the preparatory works that will be taking place this summer. These events provided an opportunity for people to ask questions and express any concerns, leading to many productive discussions.

Below, you can find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions from these events.

Grand Sluice FAQ's

Will these works include road closures?

Although there are no planned road closures, there will be short durations when our contractors will need to operate traffic marshals during the delivery of materials. These will be scheduled to cause as little disruption as possible.

Is aquatic weed flushing being considered?

Yes. The project team are now finalising designs for tilting gate flaps, which are planned to be installed on the new vertical lift gates. These new gates will be installed as part of the main works due to start in 2026. The aim of the tilting flaps is to improve the efficiency of aquatic weed flushing without losing as much water from the system as weed flushing does now.

We don't plan to open the sluice gates to flush weeds during our contractor's normal working hours (08:00 - 18:00) this summer. Instead, we'll coordinate with the Canal and Rivers Trust to do this in the evenings or during weekends when necessary.

A barge equipped with a crane that will be used during the Grand Sluice refurbishment preparatory works.

The project team has worked hard to develop the Full Business Case for the Phase One Embankment works. This has now been submitted for approval. Once approved this will confirm the funding for the project and will allow the team to begin delivering works on the ground.

Throughout May the project team have been continuing face-to-face farm and landowner meetings within the project area with contractors, Arup. These meetings have helped to deepen the team's understanding of past flooding impacts, people's aspirations for the area, and how some of the proposed measures could work within the landscape.

After gaining first hand insights into the area, Arup have been assessing the short list of potential measures against specific criteria. Their analysis aims to help us understand which measures may be technically viable, determine how well these could work together to form a master plan for the area, and if they contribute towards achieving the project's goals.

We have recently sent a draft of this report to our project partners to gain their feedback. Next, we will share this information with our Stakeholder Steering Group, which includes farmers and landowners for further discussion.

Channel desilting work has taken place on the Lower Barlings Eau, between Short Ferry Bridge and the pumping station inlet. This is to allow water pumped from the River Trent and into the River Witham to move up the channel to the Short Ferry Pumping Station. From there it is pumped via a pipe into the River Ancholme to alleviate low water levels.

The Sustainable Recovery Pilot project is a Fens 2100+ pilot project. Fens 2100+ is developing a Fens-wide approach to managing flood risk in a way that balances the needs of people, the environment and agriculture, both now and in the future.

Channel desilting work on the Lower Barlings Eau.