The Other Waterways of Chelmsford .
Chelmsford Essex stands on the confluence of two rivers the Chelmer and the Can. The river Chelmer enters the town from the north whilst the Can comes from the west. Both rivers have wide flood plains in the town which have left green figures of parkland, allotments and nature reserves almost to the town centre. The rivers themselves finally join to the south of the town where they are controlled by a modern electrically operated weir. Below the weir they become the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation which starts in Springfield basin and is fed by a feeder system from the River Chelmer.
The history of navigation within the town is sparse. Pictures exist of rowing boats on the River Can in the Admirals Park area. It is unlikely that much navigation took place on the River Chelmer due to the number of mills that existed. Within the town there were at least four Mills, Moulsham Mill Springfield Mill, Bishops Hall Mill and Patching Hall Mill. Moulsham Mill is now a Craft and business centre, Springfield Mill a pub, and some remains of the Bishops Hall mill can be seen in the industrial estate of the same name. All traces of Patching Hall Mill have disappeared.
Links to pictures of the rivers
