North Drain

The North Drain is a significant waterway that runs for approximately 6.5 miles from Hurn Sluice on the River Sheppey to the North Drain Pumping Station where it meets the River Brue. Its course traverses various moorlands, including Westhay Moor, Aller Moor, Tadham Moor, and Tealham Moor, and it is intersected by several Droves, or ancient routes.

The initial efforts to drain the moors in this area can be traced back to 1774 when an Act was passed to drain Tadham Moor by constructing a parallel Rhyne (a drainage channel) alongside the River Brue. This project was later expanded to include Westhay and Godney Moors. In 1801, the Brue Drainage Act led to the construction of Hurn Sluice, which connected the western end of the drain to the River Brue, resulting in its designation as the North Drain.

Despite these drainage measures, the North Drain never achieved complete effectiveness, as the moors would still flood during periods of high water flow in the River Brue. The inflow from the drain would be impeded by the elevated water levels in the Brue, causing water to flow back into the moors. This challenge persisted, highlighting the complex dynamics of water management in the area.