The level still discharges water, which flows to St Winefride’s Well. In recent years, efforts have been made to maintain this flow—most notably, the North Wales Caving Club was paid £120 to clear blockages within the level.

During a visit in October 1988, a collapse was observed approximately 100 yards inside the portal. A shaft had been dug from the surface through about 20 feet of clay to access the adit. Despite the collapse, it remains possible to wade upstream for roughly half a mile, with water reaching chest depth. Numerous dry side passages can be seen along the way, with a series of dams keeping the water within the main tunnel.

Earlier that year, in June 1988, the Grosvenor Caving Group explored two shafts—located at grid references SJ 1794 7631 and SJ 1786 7634—both of which connected to the Boat Level.

Davies and Williams note that this adit was first begun in 1773. The primary entrance to the mine was via a level located about 150 yards up a lane directly opposite St Winefride’s Well. This level not only helped drain the workings but also allowed boats to transport miners and ore through the tunnel.

In 1788, Thomas Edwards became the mine’s agent and transformed the boat level into a minor tourist attraction. He furnished one of the caverns with tables and chairs so that visitors could enjoy a picnic underground. Several accounts from the late 18th century describe these boat trips along the level. However, by around 1830, the boats had been replaced with a tramway laid along the same route.