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New Steinhavel lock: Milestone for water traffic between Berlin and MV
Construction work on the Steinhavel lock completed: New self-service lock for over 25,000 watercraft annually.
New Steinhavel lock: Milestone for water traffic between Berlin and MV
The Steinhavel lock near Fürstenberg has regained its former strength. After five years of intensive construction, the extensive work on this important traffic artery between Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Brandenburg has now been completed. This was reported by the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration. The complete replacement of all hydraulic engineering systems was completed on time, so that the new facilities can be used immediately.
The Steinhavel barrage, which lies on the border between Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Brandenburg, is a central part of the Upper Havel waterway and connects Berlin with the beautiful lake district. This region is very popular not only with recreational boaters, but also with many tourists. “With over 25,000 watercraft every year, there is a lot going on here,” said a spokesman for the responsible authority. The new lock was opened to traffic in May 2022, ensuring continuous use during the water tourism season.
Ecological aspects in focus
A particular focus of the construction work was on ecological continuity. A new fish pass was constructed to facilitate the migration of fish in the region. In addition, the dilapidated mill weir was replaced - a step that is not only ecologically but also functionally important. The commissioning of these new facilities, including the fish pass, took place on November 5, 2024. The new boat tow for paddlers and canoeists will go into operation on July 24th, which is a particularly welcome addition for nature lovers.
The total costs of the construction project amounted to around 38 million euros, with a joint venture consisting of STRABAG AG, Otto Mette Wasserbau GmbH & Co. KG and EUROVIA Verkehrsbau Union GmbH being responsible for the implementation. Numerous materials were used in the work. Among other things, around 6,000 m³ of concrete and 3,500 t of hydraulic stone were used to create a more stable and sustainable infrastructure.
A look into the future
The new lock has been running in a semi-automatic self-service mode since the start of the 2025 season, which significantly simplifies the process for water sports enthusiasts. These modernizations make shipping safer and more efficient and rely on a future-oriented water transport policy.
Citizens are always kept up to date via the new Instagram account of the Oder-Havel Waterways and Shipping Authority. Under wsa-oder-havel.wsv.de There are exciting insights into daily processes, current projects and developments in the area of waterways management. Here, interested parties can also find information about events and dates that affect the regional water sports community.
These comprehensive measures on the Steinhavel impressively show how important a well-functioning waterway infrastructure is for the region and its residents. “There is something going on” for water traffic between Mecklenburg and Berlin, and everyone involved has shown a good hand in ensuring that the opportunities for water tourism remain high.