Industrial Culture: Zwillingsschachtschleuse

The Eisenhüttenstadt twin lock was built in the years 1924-1929 as a prototype for French locks (reparation payments to France after the First World War) and was intended at the same time to replace the stair locks that were overloaded due to increasing traffic. In twin lock operation (one boat facing upstream, one downstream), the water level in both chambers is balanced out by underground connecting canals. After the water level in both chambers has been balanced, changing over the gates for residual emptying/filling creates a “pause” of around 5 minutes.
After this, one chamber is filled with water from the upper exit basin, and the other chamber is emptied into the lower water through the lifting of wedge roller gates via an outflow structure with energy breakers. This technical facility means that 50% of the water needed for one lock operation can be saved (however, around 11,000 square metres of water is still used). The lock operation in economy mode takes around 15 minutes.

The twin lock is a unique technical structure that is a masterpiece of technical achievement. It overcomes the height difference of up to 14 metres between the Oder-Spree Canal and the River Oder .

Chamber length: 130 metres (127 metres usable)
Chamber width: 12 metres
SOW 127.3 kilometres

Please report to the lock operator in good time: +49 3364-4085420, UKW 20.

Chamber walls made from concrete with intermediate bollards (both sides) and floating bollards (one side)
North chamber: 4 on right bank / South chamber: 4 on left bank)

Please contact the tourist information centre in Eisenhüttenstadt, if you would like to book a tour:
tor-eisenhuettenstadt@t-online.de or by telephone: +49 3364 413690.