Ems-Jade-Kanal

The Ems-Jade Canal is a navigation waterway connecting Emden with Wilhelmshaven over roughly 72 kilometers while passing through farming country. The channel cuts through flat terrain lined with protective dikes and opens onto both coastal regions.

The waterway was built between 1880 and 1888 to link the Prussian port city of Wilhelmshaven with East Frisia. This project strengthened trade routes and boosted the strategic importance of North Sea ports.

The waterway shapes daily life in surrounding villages, where boat traffic and shipping remain part of the landscape. Communities along its banks have maintained their connection to water-based activities for generations.

Smaller boats and pleasure craft can navigate the channel without major complications, though you should expect locks and occasional narrow sections. The warmer months offer the best conditions for passage, when water levels are stable and surroundings remain easily accessible.

The Kaiser-Wilhelm Bridge at Wilhelmshaven was a swing bridge of European significance when completed in 1907, showcasing engineering skill of that era. This structure spans the channel and stands today as a landmark of industrial progress.

Location: Lower Saxony

GPS coordinates: 53.31667,7.16667

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:49