The Eisenhüttenstadt twin-shaft lock was built between 1924 and 1929 as a prototype for French locks (reparations payments to France after World War I) and was also intended to replace the staircase locks that were overloaded by increasing traffic. In double lock operation (one ship upstream, one ship downstream), the water level in both chambers is balanced by underground connecting channels. Once the water level in both chambers has been balanced, a "pause" of around 1 minutes is created by reversing the gates to empty/fill the remaining water.
Then one chamber is filled with water from the upper outer harbor, the other chamber is emptied into the underwater area by lifting roller gates over an outlet structure with energy breakers. This technical possibility means that 50% of the water required for a lock operation can be saved (although around 11.000 square meters of water are still used). The lock operation in economy mode takes around 25 minutes.c
The twin shaft lock is a unique technical structure and represents a technical masterpiece. It overcomes the height difference between the Oder-Spree Canal and the Oder of a maximum of 14 meters.
Chamber length: 130 m (of which 127 m usable)
Chamber width: 12 m
Directions: SOW km 127,3
Please register in good time for the lock: VHF 20 or by phone
Chamber walls made of concrete with niche bollards (both sides) and floating bollards (one-sided north chamber: 4 pieces on the right bank / south chamber 4 pieces on the left bank)
Guided tours can be arranged by appointment through the Eisenhüttenstadt Tourist Information:
tor-eisenhuettenstadt@t-online.de or by calling 03364 413690.
