Simple question relavent to all.

[DHutch]

Ive always been told, and understood, that i was as adam says mainly a case of wiegh.

- The top gate is basicaly only the depth of the canal, maybe 6feet max. Where as the bottom is the depth plus the drop. Which could be a much as 20ft tall.

- Hence the top gate was usally split, to make it manage to open/close and trainsport/crane into place. With the top usally just being single because it can be.

 

However the argument/reason about boat and chamber lenght is a good one too. Split bottom gates save you about maybe 3ft of lock chamber.

 

 

 

Daniel

[fender]

Daniel - One thing I've thought about single gates is that they are quicker to install, so maybe that offset the extra costs incurred with longer chambers.

Edited March 30, 2008 by fender