Staustufe Heidelberg, Lock and barrage in Heidelberg and Dossenheim, Germany
The Staustufe Heidelberg is a lock and barrage spanning 170 meters across the Neckar River, supported by four block pillars and equipped with three large gates for water management. Two lock chambers, each 110 meters long and 12 meters wide, allow vessels to pass through the waterway.
Built in 1921 during the Weimar Republic, the structure emerged from a state agreement to construct 26 dams along the Neckar River. This major infrastructure project reshaped the entire river system for generations to come.
The structure displays local red sandstone on its exterior, a building material deeply rooted in the Neckar Valley's construction tradition. This choice reflects how the facility was designed to blend with the regional character of the area.
The facility is visible from surrounding paths and viewpoints scattered around the area. Visiting during daylight hours makes it easier to observe the construction details and the texture of the sandstone exterior from multiple angles.
Between 1996 and 1998, an underwater power plant with flow turbines was installed to generate electricity without altering the facility's surface appearance. This solution demonstrates how technical improvements can be seamlessly integrated into existing infrastructure without visual disruption.
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