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 lock gates each weigh 27 tonnes and, by sliding open, allow the water level in the lock to rise and fall. Opening and closing the gates takes about one minute, and levelling the water takes about six minutes. This allows boats to sail through the Van Starkenborgh Canal without having to be hoisted up or down. The construction of the lock cost 20 million guilders at the time. That is roughly twice as much as the cost of digging the entire Van Starkenborgh Canal.