Telemark Canal

The Telemark Canal (Norwegian: Telemark Canal ) is a canal in the Norwegian Telemark region between the archipelago at the Skagerrak and the Hardangervidda. He connects the villages of Skien and Dalen. The name is common in the context of tourism since the 1990s for the two channels Skien Norsjø channel and Norsjø - Bandak Canal. The Telemark canal is adjacent to the stockpile channel the only channel system in Norway. It is 105 km long and runs from the sea ( the North Sea ) to the Norwegian Telemark region. A system of 18 lock levels handled by the wayside a height difference of 72 meters. For long stretches, it performs existing lakes and connects them with each other.

Section Skien - Norsjø (1854-1861)

This part of the canal is the oldest. It was built from 1854 to 1861. It connects the Frier Fjord on the dock Bryggevannet in Skien with the Norsjø. Already in 1805 declared the economist Christian Pram that it would be convenient, could overcome the waterfalls monastery Fossen and Skotfossen - thus was born the idea for a channel. 1831 underlines the bailiff F. Wedel Jarlsberg this desire and in 1844 recommended a commission the construction of a canal through Løveid. The plans for the building were drawn up by the channel director Engebret Soot and his assistant Walingorski and channel directors Røiem and Johan Tullin Thams.

Section Norsjø - Bandak (1887-1892)

This part of the canal was completed on 20 June 1892 after it has wrested five years without machine the Norwegian rock 500 workers. The official inauguration took place on 20 September 1892. In his time, he was described in travel guides as the eighth wonder of the world. The channel runs largely on preexisting lakes that were also dammed rivers and connection. They are: Bandak, Straumann, Sundkilen, Kviteseidvatn, Fjågesund, Flåvatn, Straumen Nomevatn, Eidselva and Norsjø. The great lakes along the channel ( Bandak, Kviteseidvatn and Flåvatn ) are also called Vestvannene.

Smuggle

Maximum ship dimensions

Rafting

Its economic importance was the Telemark Canal through the rafting, and he allowed so much the industrialization of the Telemark province with its center Skien. The Telemark Canal was for a long time the last channel in Europe, has been floated on the. The rafting was operated only in the southern section between Norsjø and Skien to March 2006, in the northern part it was discontinued in 1980.

The priority of rafting is reflected in the fact that the channel is only open from mid-June to mid-August for private boats. This is explained by the fact that at the time had, now disused, paper mill Norske Skog in Skien summer holidays.

As early as the 15th century, this region was the most important timber producer and exporter of Norway. The canal facilitated the transport of logs from the heart of the lakes in Telemark to the commercial harbor Skien. Much of the forest has grown back since the construction of the canal.

Tourism

Characteristic of the Telemark Canal are its historical, faithfully preserved and hand-operated locks. He will sail in the summer, both of ships of the line and of pleasure boats ( popular canoeing area ). On the entire length loads a 115- kilometer section of the National Cycle Route 2 recreation for cyclists. The canal runs through a scenic area where alternate towns and villages with pastures, pine forests and craggy rocks on the shore.

The ships of the line, there are four nostalgic ships: M / S Victoria is the "Queen of the Channel" and was built in 1882. The M / S Henrik Ibsen dates from 1907 and was originally in Sweden in use. It is named after Henrik Ibsen, who had his home in Skien. Since 2002, here after a long renovation period, the M / S Skarsfos of 1909 in use. In addition, still runs the newer M / S Tele brands of 1951.