The Ebley confluence weir allows excess water from the Slad Brook, Painswick Stream & Ruscombe Brook, which feed into the canal between Wallbridge and Dudbridge, to flow out into the River Frome.
The weir was constructed in 2012 during the restoration of this section.
After abandonment, the canal was infilled from this point to close to Ryeford Double Lock, with water from the canal diverted into the river through the same channel that the new weir occupies today.
At time of the infilling, a footbridge was built to carry the towpath over the channel. During the 2012 restoration this bridge was retained as it fulfilled the same function.
In 2023 a new wider bridge was installed on top of the original which removed what had become a 'pinch point' on a busy towpath.
Original Ebley Connecting Weir
Before abandonment and infilling, the correct water level in the canal was maintained by a connecting weir, now disused, which is about 100m or so further west (see photos below).
(Tap / click images to enlarge)
