Niedrigwasserschleuse Magdeburg

The Niedrigwasserschleuse Magdeburg is a lock in Magdeburg that guides ships through a connecting canal and allows them to navigate even during low water conditions. The structure links the Elbe River with the Rothensee connecting canal, enabling vessels to traverse the region regardless of water level changes.

The lock was built in 2007, after earlier plans from before World War II could not be carried out for decades. The project was part of efforts to better connect waterways between eastern and western Germany after reunification.

The lock represents a significant component of German Unity Transport Project No. 17, strengthening the connection between eastern and western German waterways.

The lock can be viewed on foot from various shoreside locations, and the best time to visit is during the warm season when ship traffic is active. When water levels are high, the lock remains open and ships can pass without stopping.

A pumping station next to the lock independently regulates the water level of the Rothensee canal, allowing ships to travel at full draft depth year-round regardless of Elbe fluctuations. This system makes the lock a particularly innovative structure for inland navigation.