Ely Internal Drainage Boards

Ely Group of Internal Drainage Boards

The Drainage Office, Main St, PRICKWILLOW, Nr Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4UN

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Waterbeach Level

Waterbeach Level Internal Drainage Board was originally constituted in 1741 and its District is located north east of the village of Waterbeach in Cambridgeshire, part of the “South Level Fens”.

The District boundary encloses an area of 2720ha. (6721ac.) with a total pumped catchment of 2857ha.

The District comprises of mainly high grade agricultural land much of which is below mean sea level and considerably below “flood level” and is therefore totally reliant on pumped drainage for its existence, as it has been for many years.

The Board undertake their drainage/water level management responsibilities by designating and maintaining a network of 35.5km. of drains which gravitate to the Board’s Pumping Stations.

The Board operate three pumping stations; Holt Fen, Cam and Locks, all of which discharge to the River Cam.

Water levels are terraced/controlled by a number of structures in Board’s drains from the Upper Reaches to the Board’s pumping stations where surplus land drainage water from the District is discharged to the High Level River System.

The District is intersected north to south by the Ely to Cambridge Railway Line. The western boundary is formed by the A10 from Waterbeach to Stretham and the Old West River. The eastern boundary is formed by the River Cam.

The District contains a number of areas of habitation with part of the village of Waterbeach and Waterbeach Air Field within the District boundary, along with the hamlet of Chittering and settlement at Denny Abbey. The District also contains a low concentration of further private dwellings, agricultural properties and buildings to support the highly productive agricultural operations within the District.

The District also contains all infrastructure necessary to support domestic properties, businesses and agriculture such as gas, electricity and water supplies as well as the means of access to other areas, such as roads and railways.

The quality of life of people living and working within the District is dependent upon the efficient and effective operation of the Board.