Twentekanaal begins gradual reopening after drought closure

The Twentekanaal is beginning a gradual reopening for shipping following a closure caused by prolonged drought. Rijkswaterstaat has initiated trial lock operations at Eefde to assess the impact on water levels.

For the first time in the canal's history, it was closed due to low water levels, which had previously only occurred in 2012 due to a damaged lock door. The closure significantly impacted businesses relying on waterborne transport. While recent rainfall has increased water levels in the Rhine and IJssel, authorities are proceeding cautiously.

Initially, the lock will allow approximately five vessels per day, a significant reduction from the normal capacity of 35 to 40 lockings daily. Rijkswaterstaat and the Port of Twente are monitoring the situation to determine when capacity can be increased to ten vessels per day, depending on pump capacity and water stability.