Almond Feeder Aqueduct: Ongoing Structural Assessments

The Almond Feeder is an open channel, almost two miles long and punctuated by four masonry tunnels and a 200-year-old, cast-iron feeder aqueduct, which carries the feeder over the River Almond through a slender, one-metre-deep cast-iron trough.

Infrastructure Current

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While appearing to be a fairly insignificant feature in the landscape, the Almond Feeder Aqueduct plays a crucial role in controlling flows of water in the Union Canal through the city of Edinburgh. In fact, the feeder is the canal’s sole supply of water, which it takes from Cobbinshaw Reservoir in the West Lothian hills.

To ensure a safe and controlled flow of water, we conduct regular inspections of the feeder’s embankments, masonry and iron structures. A principal inspection of the Aqueduct highlighted fracturing and weakness in the historic cast iron structure. This prompted further specialist structural assessments earlier this year, which are now completed.

Current status

Due to the complicated nature of the repairs required, and the fact that this is the only water supply for the 52Km Union Canal, we have been advised by experts that the structure should remain closed to pedestrians for the time being. We appreciate this is not the update that path network users would want but we would point to the proximity of an alternative bridge nearby and would encourage members of the public to use the alternative route while we continue our vital investigation and repair works.

Feeder aqueduct facts

• The feeder aqueduct is more than 200 years old. The original purpose of the structure was to carry water from the Almond River to the Union Canal, the pedestrian walkway was added considerably later.

• Cast-iron may seem an unusual choice for an aqueduct, but was a material favoured by engineer Thomas Telford at that time. Why? It’s a strong material that was cheaper and lighter than masonry, which could be fabricated in a foundry for delivery to site and relatively fast assembly on the spot (a 19th century flat pack, which hopefully wasn’t as much of a headache to assemble as our modern-day ones!).

• Today, Scottish Canals is responsible for monitoring the water levels in the reservoir feeder and canal, and we maintain the grade-A-listed bridge.

Questions?

If you have any queries for us in the meantime, please get in touch with us at: enquiries@scottishcanals.co.uk, or on 0141 332 6936 (Monday to Thursday 8.30am-5pm, Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm).