Labels:text OCR: Lodes, Drains, Dykes and Ditches Lode A Lode is an artificial water route, with flowing water. Boats often use it. Drain, Dyke, Ditch Drains, Dykes and Ditches are all much the same. They are smaller bodies of water than the lode and man-made. Sometimes these water bodies may be small and stagnant, sometimes flowing.