The Hamm lock is a lock on the federal waterway Datteln-Hamm Canal (at km 36.98) in Hamm. It was built between 1912 and 1914 and, together with the Werries lock above, enables the canal to be used from Hamm to Schmehausen. The West German Canals Waterways and Shipping Office is responsible for operation and maintenance.
The extension of the Datteln-Hamm Canal to Lippstadt was planned even before the First World War. The Hamm lock was initially the only one on the canal. The chamber was originally 82.5 meters long and 9.90 meters wide. The drop height is only 1.45 meters. The construction cost 350,000 Reichsmarks at the time.
In 1944 the lock was hit by a bomb and destroyed, and in 1948 it was rebuilt.
In 2004 the gates, drive and control system were completely replaced as part of a major overhaul. In addition, the Werries lock has since been controlled via the control center at the Hamm lock. The cost of the Hamm lock was 4.25 million euros.
The usable length of the chamber was extended to 86 meters through the basic repairs, so that this section of the canal is still navigable for European ships.
The water transfer point between the Lippe and the Datteln-Hamm canal is located directly at the lock.
Source: Wikipedia