Lock to the Amsterdam Rhine Canal at Nigtevecht

Here the Vecht is in open connection with the Amsterdam Rhine Canal. The water is now transported to the pumping station in IJmuiden that pumps the water into the North Sea. This connection is located about 7 kilometers south of Muiden, where the Vecht flows into the IJmeer, and about 21 kilometers north of Utrecht, where the Vecht originates. The curious phenomenon therefore occurs that the Vecht flows in two directions: from Muiden to the south and from Utrecht to the north to end up here for the drainage on the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal.
The canal was opened in 1892 as Merwede canal. After lengthening and broadening in the 20th century, it received its current name. The canal took over the transport function of the Vecht, where bends and drawbridges were obstacles to shipping. The five locks between the Vecht and the canal have been opened since 1983, so that the water level in both waters has been the same since that time.

ZichtopdeVechtstreek