Elbląg Canal, Historical waterway in Warmian-Masurian, Poland
Elbląg Canal is a waterway in Warmian-Masurian, Poland that connects Lake Drużno with the Drwęca river across a distance of more than 80 kilometers. The system uses five slipways and several locks to move vessels through rolling terrain.
Work began in 1844 under the direction of engineer Georg Steenke during the Prussian era. The route opened in 1860 to carry goods between the Masurian lakes and the Baltic coast.
This waterway stands as a testament to 19th-century engineering, featuring railroad tracks that transport boats over land between water sections.
Small tour boats run along the route during summer months between Elbląg and Ostróda. Visitors can ride aboard or watch the boat-hauling mechanism from paths along the shore.
Five ramps lift boats on wheeled cradles over land to overcome a height difference of roughly 100 meters (330 feet). The technique replaces water locks with railway tracks and has been applied in only a few places worldwide.
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