Wesel–Datteln Canal

The Wesel- dates channel ( WDK, water code: 75101 ) is a federal waterway in the state of North Rhine -Westphalia and one of the most important and busiest shipping channels in Germany. The waterway runs through the northern Ruhr area and connects the Rhine at Wesel with the Dortmund -Ems Canal at the waterway crossing dates. The 60- km long channel runs parallel south of the lip in its immediate vicinity.

Course

Because of its course along the lip was the Wesel- dates Canal and its eastern extension, which is now called the dates - Hamm Canal, in the planning and construction phase (as well as today unofficially ) called lip - side channel. The input channel locks on the Rhine are the locks Friedrich field between Voerde ( Niederrhein) and Wesel. The ships sail on the canal to mountain to the waterway crossing dates. With a total of six channel levels with first ever a lock, a height difference of up to 44 meters is overcome, depending on the Rhine water level. He is next to the Rhine -Herne Canal, gateway to Germany's only east-west waterway link across the Dortmund -Ems Canal and the Mittelland canal to the Oder.

The canal is a waterway of class Vb and can be navigated by large inland cargo vessels and corresponding associations.

In 2003, 17.5 million tonnes of goods were transported on the Wesel- dates channel at about 23,400 smuggling. The envelope on the canal was about 6.1 million tonnes in 2004. The largest envelope along the Wesel- dates channel have the Marler ports on the Marl Chemical Park and the coal mine Auguste Victoria / Blumenthal with about 4,000,000 t envelope / year.

The channel is being crossed by four rail bridges, 49 roads and road bridges, footbridges 7 and 9 Rohr-/Kabelbrücken over - as well as of 29 culverts and culverts and 59 pipe and Kabeldükern.

The channel is managed by the Water and Shipping Authority Meiderich. For the on-site entertainment outskirts Friedrich field are ( WDK km 0.000 to 26.000 ), outskirts Dorsten ( WDK km 26.000 to 55.000 ) and the outskirts of dates ( WDK km 55.000 to 60.225 ) responsible. Policing the water police station dates and their watchkeeping group in Dorsten, Dortmund and Hamm is responsible. The water safety along the channel is ensured by the DLRG Oruppen Voerde, dates, holders and Marl, highl dates and the volunteer fire Dorsten and holders.

History

The main reason for the canal construction was to support the northern and eastern migration of mining and industry through a powerful waterway and, if necessary, to relieve the Rhine -Herne Canal.

Despite war began in 1915 started the construction of which, however, in 1916 had to be adjusted. At Dorsten lip was moved about 500 m to the north. It was not until 1924, the construction work could be included in a targeted again, so finally on June 2, 1930, the trial operation could begin. The official commissioning took place, although only a year later, still considered in 1930 as opening date. Various construction ensured a later compensate for subsidence.

With 6 million tonnes / year in the late 1930s, the calculated performance has been achieved. Therefore, in 1958 long and 12 m wide locks was begun in addition to the existing 225 m each to build an additional lock. 1966, the second lock Friedrich field to the operation. Until 1970, all channel levels were fitted with a second, smaller lock of 110 m length and 12 m width for the Europe ship to cope with the increased traffic. In 1990, the expansion started in 1966 the channel profile was largely completed in one-sided sheet piling. In order to use the channel also large thrust associations. 1992/93 Lift Gates of all locks have also been replaced.

In 2005, the floating exhibition "change through channel - 75 years Wesel- dates - channel" on the 80 year old barge " Ostara " presents. The ship of the Westphalian Industrial Museum moored at locks and ports and showed an exhibition on the lip shipping and the history of the Wesel- dates channel.

Drainage

The Wesel- dates channel is a member of the water supply network, which form the West German channels (dates -Hamm, Dortmund -Ems, Rhine -Herne and Wesel- dates). This network is not only the shipping for smuggling as well as for the compensation for seepage and evaporations, but to a large extent, the public, agricultural and industrial water supply in the form of water use (cooling water for power plants) and water consumption. This need is met by taking one hand from the upper lip at the water transfer Hamm, also through the communication channel of the Rhine -Herne canal to the lower reaches of the Ruhr and in exceptional cases, from the Rhine. On the other hand, is minimized by pumping back the smuggling of water consumption for shipping. For this purpose, the WDK was fitted to his six channel levels already in its construction with back pumping stations. This pumping station chain since 1931 brought a substantial improvement of water supply, especially with the increasing traffic. In the 1980s, the pumping stations were modernized and increased its capacity. The total water supply of West German channels is regulated since 1984 by the remote control center in dates.

Channel levels

Order from the Rhine to the sea Dattelner:

  • Friedrich lock box
  • Lock Hunxe
  • Lock Dorsten
  • Lock Flaesheim
  • Lock Ahsen
  • Lock dates

Ports and Marinas

At the mouth of the channel in the River Rhine are two ports: south of Emmelsum public port of the city Voerde and north Rhein -Lippe ( Wesel ), both ports are economic development areas. Shortly after the first lock on the canal 2.7 km lies the Marina Munderloh down channel of the Water and Shipping Authority Wesel. With the berth Friedrich field ( this is also a Wasserwanderrastplatz ) and located just beyond the turning basin is taken of the high volume of traffic. In Hunxe there is a small Wasserwanderrastplatz, as in Dorsten; moreover, there are two marinas Hanse- Marina - Dorsten Dorsten and marina. Located just behind the lock Dorsten Dorsten the harbor, just before the Chemical Park Marl the harbor. The ports of the Marl Chemical Park and the mine Auguste Victoria are hubs of the largest freight volumes transported on the channel. In Haltern- Hamm- Boss village on the St. Catherine's Chapel is again a stopping place and Flaesheim in the Marina at the entrance to the quarry. Is the last resting place of the channel after the last lock in Dattelner sea.

The traveling resting places of the Wesel- dates channel usually offer a maximum stay of 72 hours; which is significantly more than the usual day. The marinas of this channel have the disadvantage of being open to the waterway. Since even at night is funneled, the cargo ship traffic will take place throughout, in addition reflect the frequently occurring sheet piling the waves again.

Recreational use

Parallel to the channel runs almost continuously from dates until after Friedrich field operation path may be used as cycling and walking. Only at the Marl Chemical Park of the operating path must leave the channel and be evaded on the bike path on the lip. The working path is used primarily as a control and escape route. Other users are subordinate and are only tolerated. The task of the Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV ) is to maintain the " safety and efficiency of vessel traffic ," she is not responsible for the design of recreational facility. For this reason, and partly contracts between the WSV and the adjacent cities around the service roads ( at least partially ) to officially designate as hiking and biking trail closed. The service roads are to a large extent created in " water-bound design " and therefore recommended as a bike path is limited.

In several places, especially in the vicinity of locks, Wasserwanderrastplatz places are set up ( eg, near the lock Hunxe ), where in some cases up to 72 hours may be made ​​(see " Ports and Marinas ").

On the banks of the canal, there are some campsites, for example at the Marina Flaesheim. In summer, the channel is used despite official prohibitions for bathing.

For anglers, the Wesel- dates channel is managed by the State Fisheries Association of Westphalia and Lippe.

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