water levels in the canal were controlled by a sluice or staunch near the point at which the river bain joined the river waring. a new cut, called the south ings drain, which ran from below the sluice to join the old course of the river bain near thornton, was made under the terms of the horncastle enclosure award in 1805. a cottage was erected next to the sluice to house the staunchkeeper, as adjustment of the sluice was vital in times of drought or flood.