Oder–Havel Canal

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Lore & Background

The Oder–Havel Canal was built between 1908 and 1914, originally known as the Hohenzollern Canal, mostly replacing the Finow Canal. The assumed start of the actual Oder–Havel Canal is the current mouth of the Oranienburger Havel. It leads through the Lehnitzsee, which previously did not belong to the Havel, and reaches the Lehnitzschleuse. Most of the canal follows the former Malz Canal and then replaces the older Finow Canal up to its eastern end. Its top parting extends from the headwater of the Lehnitz lock to the Niederfinow boat lift. The natural resources of the catchment areas of the Havel and the advertising water and, in the event of drought, the Müritz-Havel waterway and the Elde are used to supply the water to the vertex.

Reader's Guide

The Oder–Havel Canal is a major waterway connecting the Oder and Havel rivers, forming part of the Havel-Oder-Wasserstraße. It runs from Cedynia near Szczecin on the Oder to the Havel near Berlin, stretching 82.8 km with a width of 33 m. In 1934 a ship lift was built on the canal, near Niederfinow. Its vertical lift was 36 metres (118 ft). The dimensions of the caisson are 85 m × 12 m × 2.5 m (278.9 ft × 39.4 ft × 8.2 ft). It could lift vessels of up to 1000 tonnes displacement. The canal's water supply is managed using natural resources from the Havel catchment area and, during drought, the Müritz-Havel waterway and the Elde.

Did You Know?

• The Oder–Havel Canal was originally known as the Hohenzollern Canal.
• It mostly replaced the older Finow Canal.
• In 1934 a ship lift was built on the canal, near Niederfinow, with a vertical lift of 36 metres.
• The ship lift's caisson dimensions are 85 m × 12 m × 2.5 m.
• The ship lift could lift vessels of up to 1000 tonnes displacement.