Ritterhude Lock

The Ritterhude lock was completed at the end of 1875 after an astonishingly short construction period of two years. Until then, the 40,000 hectare catchment area of the Hamme was regularly hit by storm surges, which led to extensive silt deposits.
(Source: kulturland-teufelsmoor.de/poi/orte/ritterhude/ritterhuder-schleuse )

Bench to rest

The Ritterhude lock was completed at the end of 1875 after an astonishingly short construction period of two years. Until then, the 40,000 hectare catchment area of the Hamme was regularly hit by storm surges, which led to extensive silt deposits. The lock was intended to prevent flooding, but only in summer. In winter, flooding was desired because the silt carried along fertilized the fields. In addition to this protective function, the Ritterhude lock also serves as a shipping lock, adjusting the watercraft to the different water levels. The Ritterhude lock was only relieved with the construction of the Lesum barrage in 1979. The Ritterhude lock has been a listed building since 1985 and is a symbol of life and work at that time. The lock chamber is 26 m long, 6 m wide and approx. 4 m high.