Locks: Canal de Colmar

The canal de Colmar was completed in 1864 thus providing a waterway link from Colmar to the Rhine and thus the greater French network of the day. There is only one lock on the 13km long canal which is dead straight for most of its length as it runs across the Rhine flood plain.

The lock is called écluse d'Ill due to its close proximity to the river Ill that crosses the canal just below the lock which can be found just to the east of the large tourist town of Colmar.

The lock is put into action by the boater pulling on a pole hanging over the water. When the lock is set a green light is shown and the boater can enter. The lock is then operated by the boater pulling on rods set into the side of the lock.