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The lock facilities in Friedrichsfeld
The Wesel-Datteln-channel follows the valley of the river Lippe. It connects the Lower Rhine with the Dortmund-Ems-channel and it is the gateway for the northern part of the Ruhrgebiet.
The Wesel-Datteln-channel was built from1915-1931 and was designed to release the traffic on the Rhein-Herne-channel. In the year 1931 the lock in Friedrichsfeld was inaugurated as the most western of total 6 identically built locks. The large towing lock is 225 metre long and 12 metre wide. In 1964 the lock was supplemented with a smaller lock with a length of 110 metre and a width of 12 metre. The vessels have to overcome a height difference of 8 metre based on a mean water level.
Both locks cater for an average of 120 vessels per day.
Air raid- splinter protection device
At the beginning of the war the bunker was built here in order to serve the staff of the lock as an observing place and as a provisional protection against air raids.
After all cleaning up operations after the war the bunker fell into oblivion and the department of preservation of historical buildings recommended later to put the bunker under monument protection.
Such a small bunker could have been removed without much effort at the end of the war and this bunker at the locks is the only preserved in Voerde.
Vessel's mast
Very near to the lock facilities there is one of the most beautiful view points - at the vessel's mast, where the Wesel-Datteln- channel and the Rhine unite, the entrance to the port of Emmelsum and the lower part of the lock Friedrichsfeld and the oil port entrance meet.
Below the 22 m high and flagged vessel's mast, are plenty of relaxation and resting opportunities and a stunning view which has to be seen.
A fantastic view
From the vessel's mast you have a wonderful view onto both of the bridges crossing the Rhine from Wesel.
The "old provisional construction" dating back to the year 1953 in the foreground and the new Lower Rhine bridge Wesel which was inaugurated on the 30/11/2009.
In front of the bridges the Wesel-Datteln-channel and the Rhine merge into one, left is the entrance to the port of Emmelsum, to the right the oil port is located. In the background is the port and the silhouette of Wesel.
Not high and low tide, yet only the winter floods provide a completely different atmosphere when looking from the vessel's mast downstream.
The photo was taken in December 2012.