Geograph - photograph every grid square

The Nene Washes are a large area of grassland which can be deliberately flooded and are generally known a washland. They are located between the River Nene and a bank south of Morton’s Leam (The South Bank) and stretch for 12 miles from Peterborough to Guyhirn. The area is technically a giant flood reservoir. The washes have local village names, Guyhirn Wash, Wisbech St Mary Wash, Whittlesey Wash etc but are collectively known as The Nene Washes. One of the earliest Fenland drains, Morton’s Leam, dug in the late 15th century (before the nearby River Nene was straightened in the early 1700s) flows in almost a straight line parallel to the current course of the River Nene through the washes. At times of potential flooding along The Nene Valley water is channeled from The River Nene into Morton’s Leam and onto the washes. Water is released from The Washes via a sluice gate, see Link near Guyhirn and back into the River Nene at low tide when the threat of flooding the along The Nene Valley has subsided.