By 1810 navigation in the Nith had become almost impossible above Kelton except at the highest tides.
James Hollingsworth, a civil engineer, undertook a survey of the Nith, and drew up a plan for improvements in the course of the river. An Act of Parliament passed in 1811 appointed a Nith Navigation Commission to make the improvements, and the Town Council passed over the running of the port to the commissioners. After the improvements ships could off-load their cargoes at the Whitesands, and Dumfries became a major port.
This plan shows how the River Nith was improved for shipping by the work undertaken by the Nith Navigation Commission.