Old Locks

In 1920, a new arm of the Leie was excavated in Menen and equipped with locks. In 1990, engineers rerouted the course of the Leie again, creating an island between the old and new beds. It is located on French territory, and a pleasant little park has now been established there. You can reach it via the bridge over the locks.

When engineers want to make a waterway navigable, they divide it into compartments. The water in such a compartment is always at the same level everywhere. Between two compartments, there is always a lock complex, like here on this old arm of the Leie.

Next to this bank is the lift lock: it serves to transfer boats from one compartment to another. When a boat arrives, the water in the lock is brought to the level of the compartment in which the boat is located. The lock opens, the boat sails in, and the water level is raised to the level of the next compartment.

The rest of the complex consists of weir locks. These are used to regulate the water level in the compartments. For example, if it has rained heavily, the lock keeper will raise a few of the gate beams to drain the water.

That the locks are old is evident from the building materials: no concrete, but individual stones. The works in 1920 were intended to make the Leie navigable for boats up to 300 tons - for comparison: now the river is suitable for vessels up to 1,350 tons. Since 2005, the complex has been protected as a monument.

Vl. Toeristisch bezienswaardigheden