Lock 2

Lock 2, built between 1759 and 1804, continues the ascent of the North Branch and clearly illustrates the canal’s evolution in its initial section. Its oval basin, nearly 25 meters long and 9.70 meters wide, is constructed of sandstone masonry and retains the original supports for the winches that operated the gates. The structure is interrupted on the right bank by the spillway outlet, a fixed-lip element that regulates the flow and maintains the water level necessary for the lock’s operation. Although its state of preservation is fair, the original hydraulic structure remains intact. Located almost a kilometer from San Quirce del Río Pisuerga and accessible by towpath, the lock is set within a landscape of significant scenic value, where the canal winds through woodland, meadows, and small natural streams.

Alongside it, two essential secondary elements are preserved. The bridge over the lock, also built between 1759 and 1804, features a 5.70-meter semicircular arch and solid sandstone masonry. Its complete parapets and good state of preservation allow one to appreciate the original construction quality, and its function was to guarantee passage between banks without interfering with the lock’s operations. Further along, the Cuérnago culvert, also made of sandstone and in excellent condition, allows the canal to cross over the stream of the same name, elegantly resolving the connection between the two waterways. This small but valuable element completes the ensemble as essential infrastructure for the canal’s continuity.