Wesel-Datteln Canal
The Wesel-Datteln Canal is a 60.23 k long inland waterways running through Lippe Valley and most alongside the river Lippe, thereby connecting Wesel (Rhine) with Datteln where the canal merges with the Dortmund-Ems Canal. Over its length connects the cities of Wesel, Hünxe, Dorsten, Recklinghausen and Marl (Chemiepark Marl) in the norther Ruhr area. Over the second half of the canal route the canal runs parallel to the Rhein-Herne Canal. The canal has five canal locks at Friedrichsfeld, Hünxe, Dorsten, Flaesheim, Ahsen and Datteln.
Editorial on the European Waterways Wesel-Datteln Canal
General Information on Wesel-Datteln Canal
The reason for constructing the Wesel-Datteln Canal was traffic overload on the Rhein-Herne Canal, then the major canal inside the Ruhr area. That traffic situation lead to massive problems in the supply chain of the Ruhr industry which was heavily dependend on the canal as major transport route. New plans for another canal route were made and construction of the Wesel-Datteln Canal started in earnest in 1915, though, completion was in 1935 only.
Locks in the Wesel-Datteln Canal
There are six locks systems in the Wesel-Datteln Canal:
- Friedrichsfeld Locks (Emmelsum District - City of Voerde) - fall height on average 7.10 metres
- Hünxe Locks (City of Hünxe) -fall height 5.50 metres
- Dorsten Locks (City of Dorsten) - fall height 4.00 metres
- Ahsen Locks (City of Datteln) - fall height 7.50 metres
- Datteln Locks (City of Datteln) - fall height 7.50 metres
The descent in the canal runs towards the river Rhine, whereas the ascent runs towards Datteln and overcomes a hight difference of 41 metres, with the largest fall height being at Dorsten locks where a hight of 9 metres has to be overcome. The lock systems always consists of two lock chambers with the larger chamber measuring 220 metres and the smaller one 110 metres in length. It is possible to handle pusher or compound formations.
Wesel-Datteln Canal Route
The Wesel-Datteln Canal branches off the river Rhine near the City of Wesel at Rhine kilometre 813.24 and close to Emmelsum Harbour. The overall length of the canal is 60 k. Wesel-Datteln Canal runs through the valley of the river Lippe and south of the river, merging with Dortmund-Ems Canal at kilometre 60.23.
How to spend your spare Time at Wesel-Datteln Canal
For drivers it is possible to follow the canal route because the road crosses the canal several times on canal bridges. Most canal bridges have parking slots attached to enable people to stop and watch the traffic on the canal from the bridges. Cycleways run alongside the canal for most of the route, enabling people to walk and to cycle in a lovely countryside.
The east-west axis of the canal favours photographers as during the day one does not have to shoot directly against the sun.
Apart from the canal being a major transport route in the Ruhr area, the canal serves as recrecational area. People wanting to spend their spare time somewhere are well adviced to visit the canal. As a matter of fact, people have discoverd the rambling and cycling options alongside the canal.
The same goes for recreational boating which, by now has become a major factor to the canal. There a plenty of rowing and sailing clubs situated alongside the canal.
Friedrichsfeld Locks - Schleuse Friedrichsfeld
Friedrichsfeld locks are situated in Emmelsum a district of Voerde City and close to the City of Wesel. The locks mark the beginning of Wesel-Datteln Canal. As is the standard at Wesel-Datteln Canal the locks consits of two chambers.
The lifting point has a fall height of 7.50 metres, though, the fall height depends on the water level in the river Rhine. The larger lock chamber measures a length of 220 metres and 11.84 metres across, with the smaller chamber only measuring a length of 110 metres and 11.54 metres across.
The locks are accessible by car on both ends. A pedestrian bridge crossed both chambers allowing to visitors to watch the traffic at the locks.
Address:
Schleuse Friedrichsfeld
Emmelsumer Strasse 241
D-46485 Wesel
Canal kilometre: 1.7
Operating times:
Large chamber: daily 0000h - 2400h
Small chamber: daily 0000h - 2400h
Responsible:
Waterways and Shipping Authority Duisburg Meiderich (Wasserstrassen- und Schifffahrtsamt Duisburg-Meiderich)
Hünxe Locks - Schleuse Hünxe
Hünxe Locks are the second locks system in the Wesel-Datteln Canal. The lifting point overcome a height of 5.50 metres. The Large chamber measures a length of 220 metres and 11.85 metres across whereas the small chamber measures a length of 110 metres and 11.62 metres across.
Address:
Schleuse Hünxe
An der Schleuse 12
D-46569 Hünxe
Canal kilometre: 13.2
Operating times:
Large chamber: daily 0000h - 2400h
Small chamber: daily 0000h - 2400h
Responsible:
Waterways and Shipping Authority Duisburg Meiderich (Wasserstrassen- und Schifffahrtsamt Duisburg-Meiderich)
Dorsten Locks - Schleuse Dorsten
Dorsten Locks are the third locks system in the Wesel-Datteln Canal, situated in the area of the City of Dorsten. The lifting point overcome a height of 9.00 metres. The Large chamber measures a length of 220 metres and 12.00 metres across whereas the small chamber measures a length of 110 metres and 11.92 metres across. A pedestrian bridge crosses both chambers.
Address:
Schleuse Dorsten
Schleusenstrasse
D-46284 Dorsen
Canal kilometre: 30.4
Operating times:
Large chamber: daily 0000h - 2400h
Small chamber: daily 0000h - 2400h
Responsible:
Waterways and Shipping Authority Duisburg Meiderich (Wasserstrassen- und Schifffahrtsamt Duisburg-Meiderich)
Datteln Locks - Schleuse Datteln
Dorsten Locks are the fith and last locks system in the Wesel-Datteln Canal. After the locks the last stretch of the canal follows, called Dattelner Meer before the canal merges into Dortmund-Ems Canal. The lifting point overcomes a height of 7.50 metres and consists of two chambers. The Large chamber measures a length of 220 metres and 12.27 metres across whereas the small chamber measures a length of 110 metres and 11.87 metres across. A pedestrian bridge crosses both chambers.
Both chambers are crossed by a pedestrian bridge allowing visitors to watch barges in the lock chambers
Address:
Schleuse Datteln
Natroper Weg 2
D-465711 Datteln
Canal kilometre: 59.40
Operating times:
operating times may differ during bank holidays
Large chamber: daily 0000h - 2400h
Small chamber: daily 0000h - 2400h
Responsible:
Waterways and Shipping Authority Duisburg Meiderich (Wasserstrassen- und Schifffahrtsamt Duisburg-Meiderich)
