Albert Canal: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Hasselt - Albertkanaal.jpg|thumb|300px|The Albert canal. Picture taken in the city of [[Hasselt]].]] |
[[Image:Hasselt - Albertkanaal.jpg|thumb|300px|The Albert canal. Picture taken in the city of [[Hasselt]].]] |
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The '''Albert Canal''' ({{Lang-nl|Albertkanaal}}, {{Lang-fr|Canal Albert}}) is a [[canal]] located in northeastern [[Belgium]], |
The '''Albert Canal''' ({{Lang-nl|Albertkanaal}}, {{Lang-fr|Canal Albert}}) is a small and shallow [[canal]] located in northeastern [[Belgium]], which was named for King [[Albert I of Belgium]]. The Albert Canal connects [[Antwerp]] with [[Liège (city)|Liège]], and also the [[Meuse River]] with the [[Scheldt River]]. It also connects with the [[Canal Dessel-Turnhout-Schoten]], and its total length is {{convert|129.5|km}}. |
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The Albert Canal has a standard depth of just {{convert|3.4|m}} and an overhead clearance of just {{convert|6.7|m}}. The largest vessels that can use this canal are [[barge]]s of just 10,000 tons - much smaller than the ones on the [[Rhine]] or the [[Danube]] or the ones in the waterways of the [[United States]] and [[Canada]]. |
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| ⚫ | Between Antwerp and Liège, there is a |
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| ⚫ | Between Antwerp and Liège, there is a difference in elevation of {{convert|56|m}}, and six sets of [[canal lock]]s were needed to overcome this difference. Five canal locks each have a lift of {{convert|10|m}}, and these are located in [[Genk]], [[Diepenbeek]], [[Hasselt]], [[Kwaadmechelen]], and [[Olen, Belgium]]. The sixth lock at [[Wijnegem]] has a lift of {{convert|5.45|m}}. |
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In the 1930s, it took about 7 days to travel from Antwerp to Liege over water. These days the same distance is covered in 18 hours. Since the completion of the [[Rhine-Main-Danube Canal]] in 1992, a barge can now travel from Antwerp all the way across [[Europe]] to the [[Black Sea]]. |
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During most of the 1930s, before the completion of the Albert Canal, it took about seven days to travel from Antwerp to Liege by water. In the [[21st century]], that same distance can be covered in about 18 hours. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[Image:AlbertkanaalKanne 4575.jpg|thumb|left|The Albert canal near [[Kanne|Kanne, Limburg]]]] |
[[Image:AlbertkanaalKanne 4575.jpg|thumb|left|The Albert canal near [[Kanne|Kanne, Limburg]]]] |
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The Albert Canal was |
The Albert Canal was constructed from 1930 through 1939. The German construction company [[Hochtief AG]] worked on the canal between 1930 and 1934, but then it was completed by Belgian companies. |
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The Albert Canal was used for the first time in [[1940]], but because of [[World War II]], it intensive use began later, in [[1946]]. |
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During World War II, the Albert canal functioned as a defense line. It was used not only to defend part of Belgium, but it also became the northeastern [[arrondissement in France|arrondissement]]s of [[France]]. The crossing of the canal by the [[Nazi German]] [[Wehrmacht]] and the destruction of the [[Fort Eben-Emael]] on May 11, 1940, was a milestone in the German invasion of Belgium. |
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In September 1944, the [[Second Canadian Division]] forged a bridgehead across the canal as the Allies fought to liberate Belgium and The Netherlands from Nazi occupation. |
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Revision as of 18:51, 6 October 2013
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| Albert Canal | |
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| Specifications | |
| Locks | 6 |
| History | |
| Date of first use | 1939 |
The Albert Canal (Dutch: Albertkanaal, French: Canal Albert) is a small and shallow canal located in northeastern Belgium, which was named for King Albert I of Belgium. The Albert Canal connects Antwerp with Liège, and also the Meuse River with the Scheldt River. It also connects with the Canal Dessel-Turnhout-Schoten, and its total length is 129.5 kilometres (80.5 mi).
The Albert Canal has a standard depth of just 3.4 metres (11 ft) and an overhead clearance of just 6.7 metres (22 ft). The largest vessels that can use this canal are barges of just 10,000 tons - much smaller than the ones on the Rhine or the Danube or the ones in the waterways of the United States and Canada.
Between Antwerp and Liège, there is a difference in elevation of 56 metres (184 ft), and six sets of canal locks were needed to overcome this difference. Five canal locks each have a lift of 10 metres (33 ft), and these are located in Genk, Diepenbeek, Hasselt, Kwaadmechelen, and Olen, Belgium. The sixth lock at Wijnegem has a lift of 5.45 metres (17.9 ft).
During most of the 1930s, before the completion of the Albert Canal, it took about seven days to travel from Antwerp to Liege by water. In the 21st century, that same distance can be covered in about 18 hours.
History
The Albert Canal was constructed from 1930 through 1939. The German construction company Hochtief AG worked on the canal between 1930 and 1934, but then it was completed by Belgian companies.
The Albert Canal was used for the first time in 1940, but because of World War II, it intensive use began later, in 1946.
During World War II, the Albert canal functioned as a defense line. It was used not only to defend part of Belgium, but it also became the northeastern arrondissements of France. The crossing of the canal by the Nazi German Wehrmacht and the destruction of the Fort Eben-Emael on May 11, 1940, was a milestone in the German invasion of Belgium.
In September 1944, the Second Canadian Division forged a bridgehead across the canal as the Allies fought to liberate Belgium and The Netherlands from Nazi occupation.
