Dortmund–Ems Canal, Summit level canal in western Germany.
The Dortmund-Ems Canal spans 269 kilometers from Dortmund to Emden, featuring multiple locks and boat lifts that enable vessel navigation through varying elevations.
The canal opened in 1899 as a strategic waterway to transport coal from the Ruhr region and reduce railway network congestion during Germany's industrial expansion.
The Henrichenburg boat lift in Waltrop now functions as an industrial museum, displaying the engineering achievements and maritime heritage of the region.
The waterway handles approximately 13 million tons of annual cargo through Münster lock, transporting iron ore, grain, sugar northbound and coal, stone southbound.
The canal's route includes a parallel section between Olfen and Münster, constructed after World War II to accommodate larger vessels without disrupting the original waterway.
Location: Ems (Dortmund-Ems-Kanal)
Location: Rheine
Inception: 1899
Official opening: August 11, 1999
Elevation above the sea: 70 m
Part of: national waterways in Germany
GPS coordinates: 52.28194,7.54194
Latest update: May 28, 2025 18:36
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