Amerongen weir and lock complex

The lock and weir complex at Driel in Gelderland is decisive for the freshwater management in the Northern Netherlands and the IJsselmeer region. The weir in the Lower Rhine also maintains the water level in the IJssel for shipping all year round. Without additional weirs, the Lower Rhine downstream, later called Lek, would 'empty'. But for the passage over the Lower Rhine and Lek, the water level must be controlled all year round. The realisation of the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal in 1952 only made its necessity clearer. This was realized between 1957 and 1972 with extensive weirs and locks. Modern weirs and locks near Amerongen and Hagestein make the Lower Rhine and Lek navigable even in summer. To prevent flooding, the weirs open when the Lower Rhine has to discharge a lot of water. On average, the lock gates are open 14 days a year. Locks have been built next to the weirs for shipping. Fish passages have been added for fish. The Lekdijk protects a large part of the central and western Netherlands against flooding.

Rieno ✅ Routes