Lock renovation
The historic locks on the Finowkanal
The renovation of the locks on the Finowkanal is one of the most important infrastructure projects of recent decades. The federal, state and local authorities are working together to renovate a total of 12 historic locks in order to ensure the navigability of the canal for the next 80 to 100 years.
The construction work is being carried out in several packages: Since the beginning of 2023, all six western locks from Ruhlsdorf to Wolfswinkel are under construction. Its is planned that the work will be completed in 2027, with the first locks gradually going into trial operation in the season of 2026. Preparatory work for the eastern locks between Eberswalde and Niederfinow is also underway.
This means that the Finowkanal will not only remain an exciting technical monument, but also a waterway that can be experienced by visitors and boat tourists in the long term.
Restrictions for boat traffic
The locks from Ruhlsdorf to Heegermühle will be gradually reopened in the 2026 season. Entry from the east (boat lifts) will be via the Liepe lock. From here, the Finowkanal can be navigated as far as the Drahthammer lock (Eberswalde Familiengarten).
For further information, please contact the lock management by telephone on +49 151 724 388 71 or send us an e-mail.
Closed locks:
Ruhlsdorf, Leesenbrück, Grafenbrück, Schöpfurt, Heegermühle, Wolfswinkel
Operation on request:
Kupferhammer, Drahthammer
( 24h in advance under: +49 151 724 388 71)
Open locks:
Stadtschleuse, Ragöse, Stecher, Liepe
Start of season 18.04.2026
Joining forces
Historic infrastructure project
After long negotiations between the federal government, the district of Barnim and the neighboring municipalities and intensive preparatory work, the ground-breaking ceremony for the basic restoration of the 12 historic locks of the Finowkanal took place on 17.02.2023. This important infrastructure project ensures the permanent navigability of the Finowkanal as a former lifeline of industrial development in the region and is unique in Germany to date. In the future, the waterway will primarily be used for leisure boating and is an important building block for the development of tourism in the region. The Zweckverband Region Finowkanal is initially carrying out basic repairs to the first six of the Finowkanal’s twelve historic locks. Construction work began on the three locks in Ruhlsdorf, Leesenbrück and Grafenbrück and the expansion of the control center in Zerpenschleuse for remote monitoring of the locks and will continue successively over the coming years.
Finowkanal
Frequently asked questions about lock refurbishment
When will the construction work on the locks begin?
The six western locks of the first lock package have been under construction since summer 2025. The first locks are scheduled to reopen in 2026. For the second lock package (the 6 eastern locks), the ZRF is planning to start construction in 2028/2029, depending on the preliminary investigations and financing.
Will all the locks be built at the same time?
No. The construction measures for the Finowkanal locks are divided into implementation packages. The first three locks (Ruhlsdorf, Leesenbrück, Grafenbrück) have been under construction in parallel since 2023. Construction work on the next three locks (Schöpfurt, Heegermühle, Wolfswinkel) began in 2024/2025. The second lock package (Drahthammer, Kupferhammer, Stadtschleuse, Ragöse, Stecher, Liepe) is expected to follow from 2027.
What disruptions will there be for car drivers, pedestrians and cyclists during the construction period?
We have made every effort to keep the restrictions for residents and road users to a minimum. Nevertheless, there will be traffic disruptions in some places during the construction work. All three locks will be affected by restrictions on car, pedestrian and cycle traffic during the construction period
Ruhlsdorf lock
Restrictions on the L71 for car drivers and temporary detour of the cycle path onto the L71.
Leesenbrück lock
The existing crossing over the lock area cannot be used by pedestrians and cyclists during the construction period. The “Treidelweg” footpath and cycle path south of the lock is closed in the construction area and will be diverted via the village of Marienwerder.
Grafenbrück lock
The road bridge with the “Grafenbrücker Weg” road overpass is closed to cars, pedestrians and cyclists during the construction period. The detour is via the Krugbrücke bridge in Marienwerder.
Heegermühle lock
The “Treidelweg” footpath and cycle path north of the lock will be closed. A detour will take place north of the allotment site and is signposted. The towpath can be used at weekends and outside working hours (between 7 pm and 7 am). The road ‘Am Finowkanal’ will be closed and is only open to residents.
What other disruptions are to be expected for residents living near the locks during the construction period and what protective measures will be taken?
During the construction period, vibration-intensive and noisy work will be carried out, which may affect residents living near the individual lock locations. This work will be documented and monitored using a noise and vibration monitoring system. Affected residents will be informed and advised in advance by our immission control officer.
In this way, we want to ensure that avoidable disruption is prevented during construction and unavoidable disruption is kept to a minimum.
Is the Finowkanal completely closed during the construction work?
No, the Finowkanal is not completely closed. The locks under construction are closed for around 2 years. It is therefore not possible to navigate the entire canal with motorboats. However, it is possible to navigate up to the closed locks. Muscle-powered boats can be used up to the respective closed areas of the construction sites. This also means that trips between the closed areas are possible. Due to the local conditions, it is unfortunately not possible to transfer canoes etc. at the construction site areas.
What will the locks look like after the construction work?
The new locks will meet the current technical requirements for hydraulic structures and are designed with a service life of at least 80 years. Our aim is to build locks that are safe for traffic, but which also incorporate the historical design of their predecessors. As you can see from the illustration, the locks are built to the original dimensions and designed according to the historical model. Historic building elements will be integrated into the new lock facilities wherever possible. A significant modernization of the operation is the future use of the new locks through the self-operated control system (automation). In addition, manual operation based on the historical model with mechanical drives is also possible as an option.
