The North Drain in Somerset is a historic waterway that was constructed in the 18th century to drain moorlands like Westhay Moor and Aller Moor.
Despite improvements over time, the drainage system faced challenges with flooding due to high water levels in the River Brue, highlighting the complexities of water management in the region.
North Drain
Get Directions
About North Drain
The North Drain in Somerset is a long waterway that starts at Hurn Sluice and goes all the way to the North Drain Pumping Station where it meets the River Brue. It passes through different moorlands like Westhay Moor, Aller Moor, Tadham Moor, and Tealham Moor, and is crossed by ancient routes called Droves.
People started trying to drain the moors in 1774 by building a drainage channel next to the River Brue. This project expanded to include more moors over time. In 1801, a new law led to the construction of Hurn Sluice, connecting the drain to the River Brue and officially naming it the North Drain.
However, even with these drainage efforts, the North Drain still had problems with flooding. When the River Brue had high water levels, water would flow back into the moors from the drain, causing more flooding. This showed that managing water in this area was complicated.