The Dortmund–Ems Canal

1 - At the end of the 19th century, more than 120 years ago, steel production in the Ruhr region began to grow. Steel was made in blast furnaces using iron ore and coal. The Ruhr region had plenty of coal, but the ore had to be brought in from other countries. 2 - Several canals were built to supply the blast furnaces in the Ruhr region with iron ore and coal. One of them was the Dortmund-Ems Canal, also known as the DEK. It was opened by Kaiser Wilhelm II on 11 October 1899. Building the canal had taken seven years. 3 - It provided an inland waterway connection between the city of Dortmund and the city of Papenburg. From there, ships could continue along the Ems to the port of Emden.

4 - The DEK begins in Dortmund. Near Datteln, it connects with the Rhine–Herne Canal, the Datteln–Wesel Canal and the Datteln–Hamm Canal. Southeast of Greven, the canal crosses the Ems. At Bergeshövede, near Ibbenbüren, the Mittelland Canal branches off at the “Nasses Dreieck” (Wet Triangle), providing a connection to the Elbe.5 - South of Lingen, near Gleesen, the DEK reaches the Ems. Just two kilometres further on, it branches off again and follows the Ems to where the Hase joins it near Meppen. Between Meppen and Papenburg, some stretches of the Ems have been developed as a canal. Near Dörpen, there is a connection to the Coastal Canal, which allows ships to reach the Weser as well.

6 - The DEK is 223 kilometers long and has 10 canal locks. At these locks, ships use a lock to overcome the difference in height between the lower and upper reaches of the canal. A ship lift operated at Henrichenburg until 1962. Here, ships were raised or lowered by 14 m in a huge trough. The old lift was replaced by a new one. But it is no longer in operation either: since 2005, only a lock has been used here.7 - 160 bridges were built for pedestrians, cars, and trains to cross the canal. The nine safety gates are also very important. They are closed if a large leak ever develops in the canal. This prevents the entire canal from draining in an emergency.

8 - Follow the route of the canal on the map. Start at the marker. You can zoom in (+), zoom out (-) or move the map.

Images: Hamsterkiste