lockkeeper
Waterway gate operator
A lockkeeper is a person who operates a canal lock—the gated enclosure that raises or lowers boats between different water levels.
The job involves opening and closing lock gates, managing water flow, and guiding vessels through.
Lockkeepers traditionally lived in cottages beside their locks: The lockkeeper waved us through.
Dug water passage
- bargeFlat freight vessel
- towpathCanal-side walking route
- sluiceGated water conduit
- floodgateWater-controlling barrier mechanism
waterway · river · aqueduct · lockage · narrowboat · weir · pound · chamber
Movable barriers at openings
- sluiceGated water conduit
- floodgateWater-controlling barrier mechanism
- paddleFlat-bladed water tool
- windlassCranked cylinder for lifting
balance beam · chamber · cill · mitre · rack · pinion · hydraulic · capstan
Supervisory custodian of place
- operatorOne who works machinery
- attendantOne who assists others
- caretakerOne who maintains property
- custodianGuardian of a place
steward · toll collector · cottage · duties · maintenance · watchman · gatekeeper · boatman
canal
Dug water passage
floodgate · waterway · river · aqueduct · lockage · narrowboat · weir · pound · chamber · paddle
gates
Movable barriers at openings
windlass · balance beam · chamber · cill · mitre · rack · pinion · hydraulic · capstan · bollard
warden
Supervisory custodian of place
custodian · steward · toll collector · cottage · duties · maintenance · watchman · gatekeeper · boatman · supervisor
- canal termscanal, Panama Canal, Suez Canal, Erie Canal, narrowboat
- Canal Heritagecanal boats, towpath, lockhouse, barge, barges
- stewardssteward, trustee, custodian, caretaker, guardian
- traffic controllerstraffic cop, traffic officer, traffic warden, crossing guard, flagger
- British CanalsBridgewater Canal, Basingstoke Canal, Regent's Canal
- narrowboatsnarrowboat, canal boat, barge, butty, hull