Écluse d'Apach-Schengen, River lock at Moselle River junction between France, Luxembourg and Germany.
The Écluse d'Apach-Schengen is a river lock on the Moselle that regulates water levels at the junction of France, Luxembourg, and Germany. It measures 172 meters long and 12 meters wide, managing a water level difference of about 4.4 meters.
Construction began in 1958 as part of a project to improve navigation on the Moselle River, with completion in 1964. This occurred during a period when European waterways were being modernized to accommodate larger commercial vessels.
The lock structure contains a relief portrait of Pierre Ricard, a notable figure in Moselle shipping, mounted prominently on the lock tower.
The lock is managed by French waterway authorities and is easily viewed from above at accessible vantage points along the bank. Visitors can observe the lock's operation and the bridges connecting the border areas from ground level.
Next to the lock stands a hydroelectric power station that has operated since 1995, using the water level difference to generate electricity. This combination of navigation infrastructure and energy production reflects how modern European river systems serve multiple purposes.
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