Klein Königsförde Lock (Old Eider Canal)

Lock at Klein Königsförde

Greatly restored lock system with benches and a refuge

The old Eider Canal near Krummwisch is a historic lock canal that was 34 kilometers long at the time and was built between 1776 and 1784. The need to establish a connection between the North and Baltic Seas has existed since the Middle Ages. At the end of the 18th century, the decision was finally made to build a route from Holtenau to the Elbe. Due to the height differences, it had to be a lock canal. Next to the Eider Canal there were so-called towpaths, on which horses pulled the ships through the canal if they couldn't get through the canal with wind power alone.
The canal, which cost 9 billion euros, was used by German and foreign ships for almost 100 years and was one of the most important hydraulic structures in the world at the time and, at a depth of 3.45 meters, was even the deepest artificial waterway. When larger ships were built in the 19th century, the Eider Canal gradually became too small. Therefore, the Kiel Canal was built.
Today the Eider Canal and the associated Dutch bascule bridge at the former ship lock are still in very good condition due to a restoration in 1987/88.kulturwegweiser.kreis-rd.de/sehenswuerdigungen/details/poi/ansicht/poi/alter-eiderkanal