Huddersfield
Canal Society

Facts and Figures

Wool Road Lock Wool Road Lock, Dobcross

How long is it?

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal is 19.75 miles (32 km) long - running from Huddersfield in West Yorkshire to Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester - 20 miles to the canal junction at Portland Basin.

How many locks?

There are 74 locks in total - 32 on the West (Ashton) side, 42 on the East (Huddersfield) side, raising the canal to 645 feet (196m) above sea level.

How many tunnels?

There are 2 tunnels:
Standedge Tunnel - the longest, highest and deepest in the country.

Scout Tunnel - unlike Standedge, is provided with a towing path.

How many reservoirs?

10 reservoirs were built for the canal - 8 are sited on the summit and two (Slaithwaite and Sparth are on the East side. Their 'as built' capacities in millions of gallons are:

Tunnel End reservoir is now closed for safety reasons.

How many aqueducts?

There are 5 aqueducts - Taking the canal over the meandering rivers

Who owns the canal?

The canal is owned by British Waterways.

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