Elbe-Lübeck Canal: Waiting times for pleasure craft due to low water levels

On the Elbe-Lübeck Canal, the dry and hot early summer is already making itself felt: in order to ensure a sufficient navigable depth in the waterway linking the Elbe and the Baltic Sea, water must be conserved at the barrages.

Waiting times of up to two hours

This measure primarily affects pleasure craft. Until further notice, they must expect waiting times of up to two hours when entering and leaving both the northern (Büssau lock at canal kilometre 3.4) and southern (Lauenburg lock, km 60.2) sections. The Elbe Waterways and Shipping Authority, which is responsible for this, announced the measure in a relevant news for inland waterway transport (BfS) reported.

Water shortages during periods of drought

Water shortages can occur time and again on inland waterways, particularly in artificial sections that rely solely on a limited water supply from natural watercourses for regulation. Periods of dry and hot weather can trigger and exacerbate this situation.

125th anniversary

The Elbe-Lübeck Canal is 61 kilometres long and connects the River Elbe at Lauenburg with the Lower Trave at Lübeck, and via this route with Lübeck Bay and the Baltic Sea. There are a total of seven barrages with locks along its course. Last year, the waterway celebrated its 125th anniversary.