Shotford Bridge to Syleham Mill and back with 0.35m at Billingford

Paddling up the gravel rapids just below the sluice at Weybread is damned hard work and I had to carry up the last 50m. Easy paddle back down on the way home.

Weybread Sluice: A cautious water slide, bump down then lean back as there is piling within the small stopper which you need to keep the bow well out of. Easy enough in a play boat and a lot easier than the portage.

The weir at Needham is really just for the flow gauge, most of the river flow goes under the mill or down the little narrow side shute in the foreground here. Under low water the slope is dry and so with this minimal flow (0.35m on the gauge at Billingford) it's a rather harsh scrape down un-weeded concrete. Under high flow it is horrible, no wave and the back flow is from several meters downstream on to the weir face.

And from below

Lastly: Just below Shotford Bridge. The last little rapid of the series below Weybread Mill and sluice. At this flow it's paddle-able but much lower will need a walk or carry down. Deep water from here down stream to Mendham.