River Don - Sprotbrough to Sheffield

[umpire111]

Want to do this in 2 days, can anyone tell me suitable moorings for a 57ft NB please. Also are there plenty of visitor moorings in Sheffield Basin, are they safe? Any places to avoid mooring going to Sheffield?

[pearley]

There is a mooring basin with pontoons (or was) about a mile above the top lock. Moorings in Sheffield are just before the basin  and administered by CV Marine

[Jen-in-Wellies]

25 minutes ago, pearley said:

There is a mooring basin with pontoons (or was) about a mile above the top lock. Moorings in Sheffield are just before the basin  and administered by CV Marine

This time of year, there shouldn't be any problems with finding space on the visitor moorings by the basin (AKA Victoria Quays). Personally, I'd avoid the moorings by Don Valley Bowl, unless in company. Sprotbrough to Rotherham is an easy day, staying overnight at Eastwood Lock, if you can find space. Alternatively, just above Ickles Lock is a good safe spot. You'll need to book passage up Tinsley Flight, which will take about three hours from Holmes Lock to Top Lock, plus another hour to the basin.

[BoatinglifeupNorth]

Sprotborough isn't as popular as it used to be, a lot of boaters moor above Mexborough Low lock at the Pastures, there’s a carvery type pub there, so somewhere to eat and have a drink if you want to get off the boat.

 Next day you should should get to Iccles Lock, don’t stay at Eastwood, moorings now filling up with CMoorers on GRP’s getting worse. At Iccles you’ll moor topside on lock landing, next morning you’ll meet the lock keeper at Holmes Lock just around the bend about 5 minutes away, it’s assisted passage so he’ll go ahead and set the locks, but you’ll have to do them also. You usually meet him about 09:00-09:30hrs and should be at Victoria Quays by 1pm.

 There are no visitor moorings beyond the Swing bridge, but you can go through to turn and water up(BW key and windlass required key point/ windlass stud on actual bridge stanchion) Elsen disposal, rubbish bins. The visitor moorings are on the right hand side when you come under the railway and road bridge, they are clearly marked. They are accessible to anyone like the majority of the moorings there so don’t temp fate by leaving anything thats valuable out.

 Fairly easy run from Sprot/Mex maybe a volunteer on Mex Low and Top to get you through, maybe one at Aldwick?

 Rotherham town lock needs a BW key, you’ll need to close top sluice before you start and leave top and bottom sluices open when you leave. All the locks to here are electric key operated.

 The only thing to keep an eye on is the weather, too much rain and the rivers rise too much the Tinsley Flight will close so keep an eye on the flood level boards when you go onto the river sections. 

 

Edited September 21, 2023 by BoatinglifeupNorth

[umpire111]

1 hour ago, BoatinglifeupNorth said:

Sprotborough isn't as popular as it used to be, a lot of boaters moor above Mexborough Low lock at the Pastures, there’s a carvery type pub there, so somewhere to eat and have a drink if you want to get off the boat.

 Next day you should should get to Iccles Lock, don’t stay at Eastwood, moorings now filling up with CMoorers on GRP’s getting worse. At Iccles you’ll moor topside on lock landing, next morning you’ll meet the lock keeper at Holmes Lock just around the bend about 5 minutes away, it’s assisted passage so he’ll go ahead and set the locks, but you’ll have to do them also. You usually meet him about 09:00-09:30hrs and should be at Victoria Quays by 1pm.

 There are no visitor moorings beyond the Swing bridge, but you can go through to turn and water up(BW key and windlass required key point/ windlass stud on actual bridge stanchion) Elsen disposal, rubbish bins. The visitor moorings are on the right hand side when you come under the railway and road bridge, they are clearly marked. They are accessible to anyone like the majority of the moorings there so don’t temp fate by leaving anything thats valuable out.

 Fairly easy run from Sprot/Mex maybe a volunteer on Mex Low and Top to get you through, maybe one at Aldwick?

 Rotherham town lock needs a BW key, you’ll need to close top sluice before you start and leave top and bottom sluices open when you leave. All the locks to here are electric key operated.

 The only thing to keep an eye on is the weather, too much rain and the rivers rise too much the Tinsley Flight will close so keep an eye on the flood level boards when you go onto the river sections. 

 

Tx for a very comprehensive and informative response, much appreciated 

[pearley]

12 hours ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

Personally, I'd avoid the moorings by Don Valley Bowl, unless in company.

First time we visited was just after they opened with flags flying from the poles. The last time covered in weed and unloved. But convenient for a team to Meadowhall.