Nob End, Little Lever is the "centre" of the canal in that the three arms radiate from this location. The Bolton and Bury Arms are all on one level - the summit (highest) level and the water supply comes from the River Irwell and feeds this summit, via Elton Reservoir, between Radcliffe and Elton.

Most of the canal can still be walked from Nob End to Darcy Lever (2 miles), Bury (4 ½ miles) and Agecroft (5 miles).