Prinses Marijkesluizen, Lock system in Buren, Netherlands
Prinses Marijkesluizen is a lock system consisting of two lock chambers and a floodgate that manages water flow between the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal and the Lek River. The complex allows ships to pass through while keeping water levels balanced between the two waterways.
The lock system was designed before World War II but completed in 1952 under engineer J.P. Josephus Jitta. The long delay between design and construction reflects the impact of the war on infrastructure development in the region.
The lock system shows how people in the Netherlands work with water and rivers as part of daily life. Visitors can see how communities depend on these structures to keep their land safe and connected.
When visiting, note that the locks operate continuously when water levels are sufficient for passage. The best viewing spots are along the banks and pathways surrounding the complex, where you can watch ships move through the system.
The complex includes a steel reversal sluice spanning about 80 meters and suspended between concrete towers. This structure allows ships to pass through under normal water conditions without needing to use the main lock chambers.
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