Schleuse Hamm, Navigation lock on the Datteln-Hamm Canal, Germany
Schleuse Hamm is a navigation lock on the Datteln-Hamm Canal that connects two waterways at different elevations. The structure has concrete walls and gates that raise or lower the water level to allow vessels to pass between the two sections.
The lock was built between 1912 and 1914 as part of regional waterway development and was rebuilt in 1948 after suffering bomb damage during World War II. A major modernization took place in 2004 to improve its operational efficiency.
The lock represents the industrial development of North Rhine-Westphalia's waterway network, which transformed regional transportation and commerce in the 20th century.
Visitors can observe the lock from the adjacent promenade and watch the operation as vessels pass through. The best time to visit is during operating hours when ships are actively using the facility.
A power generation turbine at the lock site uses the elevation difference between the canal and river to create electricity. This turbine produces energy from the natural water flow without requiring additional resources.
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