The charity that maintains more than 2,000 miles of canals and navigable rivers in the UK says it is counting the cost of the recent barrage of storms on the nation’s waterways.
The Canal & River Trust said it is braced for a mammoth clear-up operation as floodwater levels begin to recede.
At Naburn Lock, just south of York, the entire complex has been submerged for most of the last few weeks.
A Canal & River Trust spokeswoman said: “Extreme weather has battered the country, including the nation’s 250-year-old canal network.
“As water levels recede, and another clear-up under way, the Canal & River Trust is counting the cost to our nation’s unique waterways heritage.
“Today, Naburn Locks is facing one of its greatest challenges in its 267-year history as sustained heavy rainfall has left the site underwater for weeks.
“As water levels recede, the Canal & River Trust waterways charity has been out checking water levels and signs of damage.”
Naburn Locks, which is part of the River Ouse navigation, forms the barrier between the tidal and non-tidal river and the area is no stranger to flooding.
The first lock at Naburn was built in 1757 and remains one of the UK’s earliest examples of canal engineering, the charity said.
This afternoon, a flood warning remained in place for the River Ouse at Naburn Lock and also for riverside properties in the centre of York.