Sluis Gaarkeuken
Sluis Gaarkeuken is a lock in the Van Starkenborgh Canal. It was built between 1975 and 1980. The construction of the new lock required the removal of five lock keeper's houses and 575 trees.
Take a closer look
The sluice gates weigh 27 tonnes each and can cause the water level in the lock to drop and rise through the opening with sliders. Opening and closing the doors takes about one minute and levelling the water takes about six minutes. This allows boats to pass through the Van Starkenborgh Canal without being hoisted or lowered. Construction of the lock cost 20 million guilders at the time. That's about twice as much as digging the entire Van Starkenborgh Canal.