What canal lock did Leonardo da Vinci design to overcome differences in water level?

Leonardo da Vinci designed a miter gate lock to overcome differences in water level. The lock used paired gates that met at an angle, allowing a chamber to hold water between a higher and lower section of canal.

Leonardo worked on canal engineering in northern Italy, especially around Milan, where waterways supported transport and irrigation. His canal-lock designs helped boats pass changes in elevation without requiring a single steep channel. The angled gates also used water pressure to press their meeting edges together when closed.

Leonardo did not invent the entire principle of canal locks, which had earlier examples in Europe and China. His importance lies in refining and documenting practical hydraulic designs, including improved gates and canal arrangements. The specific surviving drawings are often discussed alongside his work on the Naviglio system.