Locking Waters. Parksluizen, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
High on the Euromast you can get an excellent view of the complicated and intricate waterworks of one of the world's largest harbors, that of Rotterdam. Of course there are the huge waterways leading out to the North Sea; but there are many smaller ones as well. Due to varying water levels, there are lots of locks and sluices allowing for smooth passage of ships.
This photo from on high shows the Greater and Lesser Park Locks. Via the Park Harbor, bottom of the photo, they connect to the New Meuse and onward to the Sea. This is all at NAP (Amsterdam Ordnance Datum) which equals sea level. At the top of the photo is the Coolhaven, which gives out from the Delfshavense Schie (at about 2.45 m NAP) and delivers from Delft and The Hague.
Through these locks passes mainly gravel and sand shipping (the Greater one) and recreational sailing (the Lesser one).
The name Coolhaven derives ultimately from a medieval township (ca. 1280) cobbled together from the areas of Cool, Blommersdijk and Beukelsdijk. The harbor itself was dug in the early twentieth century - after great social unrest -, the locks were constructed in 1933.
Locking Waters. Parksluizen, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
High on the Euromast you can get an excellent view of the complicated and intricate waterworks of one of the world's largest harbors, that of Rotterdam. Of course there are the huge waterways leading out to the North Sea; but there are many smaller ones as well. Due to varying water levels, there are lots of locks and sluices allowing for smooth passage of ships.
This photo from on high shows the Greater and Lesser Park Locks. Via the Park Harbor, bottom of the photo, they connect to the New Meuse and onward to the Sea. This is all at NAP (Amsterdam Ordnance Datum) which equals sea level. At the top of the photo is the Coolhaven, which gives out from the Delfshavense Schie (at about 2.45 m NAP) and delivers from Delft and The Hague.
Through these locks passes mainly gravel and sand shipping (the Greater one) and recreational sailing (the Lesser one).
The name Coolhaven derives ultimately from a medieval township (ca. 1280) cobbled together from the areas of Cool, Blommersdijk and Beukelsdijk. The harbor itself was dug in the early twentieth century - after great social unrest -, the locks were constructed in 1933.