File:Morton's Leam flooding over onto the washland, Guyhirn Wash - geograph.org.uk - 1737769.jpg

English: Morton's Leam flooding over onto the washland, Guyhirn Wash The Nene Washes is an area of seasonally flooding wet grassland (washland) lying between the south bank of the River Nene and another bank south of Morton’s Leam and stretching for 12 miles from Peterborough to Guyhirn. The washes have local village names, Guyhirn 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 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 channelled from The River Nene into Morton’s Leam and onto the washes. Water is released from The Washes via a sluice gate near Guyhirn and back into the River Nene at low tide when the threat of flooding the surrounding fenland has subsided.