Telemark Canal
| Telemark Canal | |
|---|---|
 The Henrik Ibsen in a lock at Vrangfoss staircase locks |
|
| Length | 105 km |
| Source elevation | 72 m |
The Telemark Canal connects Skien to Dalen in southern Norway by linking up several long lakes using a series of 18 locks. It originally consisted of two canals: The Norsjø-Skien Canal, with locks in Skien and Løveid was built in the period 1854–1861, and is the oldest of the two canals.
The other original canal – Bandak-Nordsjø Canal – was opened in 1892 by then-Minister of Labour Hans Hein Theodor Nysom.[1] In Europe, this canal was seen as "the eighth wonder" when it was finished. The Bandak-Nordsjø Canal was mainly built for transport of goods and passengers, log floating and to prevent flooding. Log floating, however, is no longer practiced, due to the closing of Union - a local paper factory. An eastern section gives access to Notodden via Lake Heddalsvatnet.
The Telemark Canal consists of 18 locks, is 105 km long and has a total difference in altitude of 72 m. The biggest staircase lock is Vrangfoss which has five chambers and a lifting height of 23 m. The riverboats Henrik Ibsen and Victoria travel with tourists from Skien to Dalen via Kviteseid. Victoria has traveled through the Norsjø-Skien Canal since 1882, and on the Bandak-Norsjø Canal since its opening.
[edit] Distribution of the 18 locks
| Lock | Lift height | Chambers | Lock passage time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skien | 5 m | 1 chamber | 20 min |
| Løveid | 10.3 m | 3 chambers | 35 min |
| Ulefoss | 10.7 m | 3 chambers | 40 min |
| Eidsfoss | 10 m | 2 chambers | 30 min |
| Vrangfoss | 23 m | 5 chambers | 60 min |
| Lunde | 3 m | 1 chamber | 15 min |
| Kjeldal | 3 m | 1 chamber | 15 min |
| Hogga | 7 m | 2 chambers | 25 min |
[edit] Maximum traffic dimensions on the Telemark Canal
| Dimension | Meter | Feet | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mast height | 16 | 52.5 | limited to 12.8 m at Ulefoss–Dalen |
| Length | 31.4 | 100 | |
| Width | 6.6 | 21 | |
| Draft | 2.5 | 8 |
