Water levels of the Birmingham Canal Navigations

Heights given are nominal elevation above sea level in feet relative to the Ordnance Datum Liverpool.

The highest level designed by James Brindley for his Birmingham Canal (BCN Old Main Line).

Connecting canals, not part of the BCN, but using this level: A total of 13.4 miles navigable without locks.

Water from Edgbaston Reservoir feeds the Birmingham Level at the adjacent Icknield Port Loop, and once fed the Wolverhampton Level via a long feeder (now overgrown and dry) along the top of a raised embankment along Telford's BCN New Main Line to the Engine Arm.

Water was a precious resource, spent each time a lock was emptied as a boat changed level.

The BCN New Main Line (Birmingham Level) running to the left of the New Smethwick Pumping Station. The BCN Old Main Line (Wolverhampton Level) runs 20 ft higher, to the right of the building.
Another view of the New Smethwick Pumping Station, with the Wolverhampton Level to the right and the Birmingham Level on the left
Valve house below Edgbaston Reservoir , early feed to the Wolverhampton Level along the Smethwick feeder
Engine Arm Aqueduct carrying the Engine Arm (Wolverhampton Level) over the New Main Line (Birmingham Level).
Valve house below Edgbaston Reservoir feeding the Birmingham Level
Edgbaston (Rotton Park) Reservoir was an early source of water for the Birmingham Canal