Fears about boat routes: Notte Canal will remain closed for over a year!

Fears about boat routes: Notte Canal will remain closed for over a year!

In Königs Wusterhausen, the discussion about the future of the Notte Canal is ablaze. The plans to renew the railway bridge, which will come into force from August 15, 2025 to December 20, 2026, are causing tensions among residents and retailers. Among them is Mario Milke, operator of the “Königsboot” boat rental company, who is very worried about his existence. Because during the construction work, the Notte Canal will be closed to use, which will make the popular routes over the Dahme to Seddinsee and Krüpelsee impossible. maz-online.de reports that Milke fears getting into financial difficulties.

The official approval for the closure comes from the State Office for Building and Transport. This measure is necessary in order to be able to carry out demolition work during a closure of the railway line. Throughout the construction project, Milke plans to use the lock system as a means of securely mooring his pedal boats to prevent vandalism. But the city has also made proposals that would mean additional costs for Milke - such as operating his snack bar and boat rental shop on opposite banks of Schloßstrasse.

Lock system and its challenges

The lock system in Königs Wusterhausen is currently out of operation and is managed by the “Dahme-Notte” water and soil association. The managing director has classified the use of the lock for public traffic as unsuitable. A decision about putting the lock system back into operation lies in the hands of the State Office for the Environment.

But the Notte Canal has much more to offer in its history. It is considered the oldest waterway in Brandenburg made navigable by humans and stretches for around 25 kilometers. This historical connection between Lake Mellensee in the south and Königs Wusterhausen in the north was first expanded in the 16th century under Elector Joachim II. rbb24.de emphasizes that the canal is now used for tourism, but is increasingly losing its importance, especially in freight transport. A further turning point for the future could be the threatened de-designation of the canal's navigability, which is being sought by the Brandenburg Ministry of the Environment.

A look back and the future of the Notte Canal

The reasons for the decline in usage are varied. With a maximum depth of only 1.5 meters, the canal is often overgrown with weeds and is difficult for large boats to navigate. The Königs Wusterhausen lock has no longer been in operation since 2022, and a new building would cost an estimated 5.8 million euros, which has not yet been possible. Michael Fiedler from the port's operating company is actively committed to preserving the Notte Canal and building a new lock - but the decision on navigability is still pending.

The mayor of Königs Wusterhausen, Michaela Wiezorek, is concerned about the downgrading of the canal and the potential negative impact on the local economy and tourism. The communities of Zossen, Mittenwalde, Mellensee and Königs Wusterhausen have come together to form a working group to find joint solutions. Wikipedia illustrates the once important role of the Notte in supplying Berlin with agricultural products.

It currently remains to be seen how the situation surrounding the waterways, which are important to many citizens and entrepreneurs, will develop. The coming weeks and months could be crucial for the future of the tourist and economic use of the Notte Canal and its surroundings.