Kreekrak locks, Lock system in Reimerswaal, Netherlands.
The Kreekrak locks in Reimerswaal are a lock system consisting of multiple chambers that manage water levels along the Scheldt-Rhine connection. The installation operates by sequentially flooding and emptying different chambers, allowing vessels to transition between different water levels on this important waterway.
The locks were built following the 1963 Dutch-Belgian treaty to prevent salt water from entering freshwater sections of the waterways. The project arose from the need to connect both countries through improved waterway infrastructure while protecting drinking water sources.
The locks exemplify Dutch water management excellence, representing generations of knowledge in maritime engineering and waterway control techniques.
If you visit for sightseeing or photography, a vantage point offers a clear view of the lock complex and passing vessels. Plan your visit during daylight hours to better observe the functioning of the locks and activity on the water.
The name Kreekrak comes from a former tidal gulley that existed in the area before the current infrastructure was built. This historical name recalls the original landscape before major engineering projects transformed the region.
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