Iffezheim Lock

Iffezheim Lock is a facility on the Upper Rhine featuring two parallel chambers measuring 270 meters long and 24 meters wide. The installation raises and lowers water at a rate of 1.5 meters per minute, allowing ships to overcome the river's elevation changes.

Construction began in 1974 as part of a German-French infrastructure project, with operations starting in March 1977. This project became a turning point for navigation on the Upper Rhine, enabling continuous passage between both nations.

The lock represents a symbol of German-French cooperation that enables continuous shipping and trade flow along the Rhine. Visitors can observe this connection in action daily as vessels pass through the facility.

The facility operates year-round without interruption, processing about 107 commercial vessels daily. Visitors should expect constant activity, with excellent chances to watch ships passing through at any time.

The lock system includes 37 connected basins forming a fish passage that allows aquatic species to migrate through the Rhine. This ecological solution demonstrates how modern infrastructure can accommodate wildlife needs.