Schleuse Kochendorf

The Kochendorf lock is a dual-chamber facility on the Neckar River's right bank, designed to raise and lower vessels between different water levels. A hydroelectric power station positioned on the opposite bank harnesses the water flow to generate electricity for local communities.

The first chamber opened in 1925 to improve navigation on the Neckar River, with a second chamber added in 1954 to handle increased traffic. These expansions reflect how the river was systematically developed as a major transportation corridor.

The lock has shaped how people and goods move along this river corridor, serving as a working hub where industrial needs and water flow intersect. You can watch the daily rhythm of vessels passing through and sense how thoroughly integrated this engineering is into the region's identity.

The facility is accessible year-round, with good viewing areas along the surrounding pathways and adjacent bridges. Morning visits are ideal if you want to observe active boat traffic and see how the chambers operate in real time.

The site includes a fish passage system that allows river species to migrate upstream without being blocked by the chambers. This addition reveals how modern water infrastructure tries to balance human needs with ecological concerns.