Staustufe Thionville, Barrage on the Moselle River in Thionville, France

Staustufe Thionville is a dam and lock system on the Moselle River near Thionville that allows cargo vessels and recreational boats to pass through while managing water levels. The structure contains two separate lock chambers sized to accommodate different types of traffic, enabling continuous barge movement along the waterway.

The dam was completed in 1964 as part of a major channelization project for the Moselle River aimed at making it more navigable. This development transformed barge traffic along the waterway and connected inland shipping routes across multiple countries.

The lock's ship chamber measures 172 by 12 metres, the boat lock 40.5 by 6 metres, dimensions set by the 1964 Moselle canalisation standards that let 1,500-tonne barges travel between France, Luxembourg and Germany. The nearby Uckange power plant, rated 2.4 megawatts, uses the 4.28-metre drop. The black sign with the white left-curving arrow on the pier marks the navigation channel for passing vessels.

The dam area can be viewed from walking and cycling paths that run along the Moselle River and offer good vantage points. Visiting during daylight hours allows you to watch the locks operate and observe boat traffic from the riverbank paths.

The dam creates a large water body upstream that stretches for several kilometers and has reshaped the local landscape since its completion. This artificial lake now serves as a recreational area that draws people for boating, fishing, and waterside activities.