Workers have started to pump millions of gallons of water from the River Trent into a new £7m marina.
The Mercia Marina at Willington in Derbyshire will eventually house more than 600 boats.
The process is expected to take about two weeks, with the first boats taking up their berths in mid August.
Built in a former gravel pit, the marina has been designed as a "soft" facility with grass retained for most areas and wooden buildings.
A new road bridge has also been built over part of the lake.
Closely monitored
General manager Robert Neff said British Waterways is keeping watch on the operation.
"They are managing this for us, taking the water from the Trent and through the canal.
"They are monitoring and measuring it every step of the way and we are only taking the little bit they allow us - about 100 litres a second."
He added: "If we opened up the gates quickly we could suck all the boats in here and we would automatically get more moorings, which is brilliant for us but I don't think the boat owners would be very happy with it!"
The marina is due to officially open in mid September.
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