Merwede canal, Navigational waterway between Utrecht and Gorinchem, Netherlands
The Merwede Canal is a shipping route that runs from Utrecht to Gorinchem and passes through multiple provinces. This waterway links the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal with the Upper Merwede and serves as a key commercial passage for inland vessels.
Work on the canal began in 1881 under Minister Klerck's direction and reused sections of the older Keulse Vaart. When it opened in 1892, it established an important new connection between two major river systems.
Along the canal banks in Utrecht, numerous stone buildings, including De Munt factory, represent the industrial heritage that shaped the region's development.
The waterway is passable for Class IV vessels and does not charge tolls for passing through bridges or locks. Boat operators should be familiar with local conditions and plan their route carefully.
Where the canal crosses the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal between Nieuwegein and Utrecht, two major shipping routes intersect at a notable junction. This spot serves as a key navigation landmark for boat operators traveling the region.
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