Kinda Canal
The Kinda Canal is a waterway in Sweden that is an extension of the Stångån River for most of its length . The canal goes from Lake Åsunden via Lakes Ämmern , Järnlunden , Stora Rängen , Erlången and Roxen to the Göta Canal . The total length is around 80 km, of which 27 km were newly dug or blasted out of the rock. The height difference of 52.5 m is overcome by nine lock systems with a total of 15 locks .
history
There were plans for a transport route across the lakes as early as the mid-18th century. The first attempt was made at the beginning of the 19th century, when the waterway between the Åsunden, Järnlunden and Stora Rängen lakes was opened through a lock at Brokind Castle. Due to miscalculations, the lock became a victim of the spring flood in 1813, just two years after it was put into service. It took some time before the idea was taken up again.
The current connection was established between 1865 and 1871 and was mainly financed with state funds. With the construction of the canals, the great hardship that prevailed in this area at that time should be overcome. The goods to be transported were tree trunks and agricultural products.
After the railway line from Kalmar to Linköping , today's Stångådalsbana , was completed, the Kinda Canal suddenly lost its importance as a transport route, as the railway followed its course. There has been no freight transport on the canal since around 1940 and at the end of the 1950s, fixed bridges with a clearance of 3.10 m were built, which make it impossible for larger ships to pass. Today the canal is only of touristic importance.
Web link
- Historical waterway since 1871. (PDF) In: kindakanal.se. Retrieved November 24, 2018 .