The Ladrones de Dueñas weirs are part of the network of hydraulic infrastructures on the Southern Branch of the Canal de Castilla, designed to ensure proper flow regulation. Built between 1831 and 1836, they are located in the municipality of Dueñas (Palencia), at kilometer 111.265, in a section where water level control is crucial for the canal’s safety and stability.
These elements serve to evacuate excess water when the flow exceeds normal levels, preventing overpressure and protecting both the canal basin and the associated structures. The system consists of two drain nozzles, carefully positioned to ensure a controlled water outlet. Above the nozzles, a small building housing the metal gates remains, from which the operation of the system was manually regulated, reflecting the technical precision with which the canal was designed. The structure is built of stone, a resistant and durable material characteristic of many of the Canal de Castilla’s infrastructures. Although its state of preservation is poor, the original hydraulic structure remains intact.
For visitors, the Ladrones de Dueñas locks offer a unique opportunity to understand the Canal de Castilla beyond its grand locks and bridges. Integrated into the riverside landscape and close to the town center, they reveal how even the most discreet structures proved essential for the hydraulic balance and continuous operation of this great historical infrastructure.
