Grid Ref SU 657 043 GB
Ports Creek is a stretch of water connecting Portsmouth and Langstone Harbours. I include this in the Solent Kayak Pages purely to convey that it IS NAVIGABLE. It allows a circumnavigation of Portsea Island (Portsmouth).
On the map, Portsmouth harbour is to the west of the M275 motorway. The stretch of water just east of the motorway is known as Stamshaw Water. Ports Creek runs parallel to the A27 dual carriage way and emerges into Langstone Harbour on the right hand side of the map.
Access / Put-ins:
I can't imagine any one wanting to launch here, but there are public tidal slipways either side of the Hilsea roundabout (the large roundabout left of centre on the map) both with free public parking. The western slip is very tidal, perhaps 1 1/2 hours either side of HW. The eastern slip has much greater access to water, but is a steep concrete affair. Either way, there is only water in the creek 3 hours either side of high water. Outside of this window, it may still be possible to scrape through, but it dries completely mid way along the narrow section parallel to the A27 dual carriage way and also through Stamshaw Water.
Features:
Noise from motorway, numerous bridges (rail bridge could be impassable on the highest HWS), filthy water. There is an unusual 'sculpture' in Stamshaw Water near the M275 bridge.
Nature:
Not even wildfowl frequent these waters.
History:
None that you can see. The creek used to be more than twice it's present width, prior to the construction of the A27 by-pass. Stamshaw Water was open to Portsmouth Harbour prior to the M275 motor way spur.
Hazards:
Two real factors - running out of water and under water obstructions. Don't under estimate how quickly the water disappears. Don't hang around (not that you would want to!) Being that this creek is surrounded by a densely populated residential area, there are more traffic cones, shopping trolleys and car tyres in the mud than you can shake a rusty bicycle frame at.
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