Telemark Canal

Infobox River
river_name = Telemark Canal

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caption = The "Henrik Ibsen" in a lock at Vrangfoss staircase locks
origin =
mouth =
basin_countries =
length = 105 km
elevation = 72 m
mouth_elevation =
discharge =
watershed = The Telemark Canal originally consisted of two canals: The Norsjø-Skien Canal, with locks in Skien and Løveid was built in the period 1854–1861, and is the oldest of the two canals.

The other original canal – Bandak-Nordsjø Canal – was opened in 1892. In Europe, this canal was seen as "the eighth wonder" when it was finished. The Bandak-Nordsjø Canal was mainly built for transport of goods and passengers, log floating and to prevent flooding. Log floating, however, is no longer practiced, due to the closing of Union - a local paper factory.

The Telemark Canal consists of 18 lock-chambers, is 105 km long and has a difference in altitude of 72 m.The biggest staircase lock is Vrangfoss which has five lock-chambers and a lifting height of 23 m. The passenger boats "Henrik Ibsen" and "Victoria" travel with tourists from Skien to Dalen via Kviteseid. "Victoria" has traveled through the Norsjø-Skien Canal since 1882, and on the Bandak-Norsjø Canal since its opening.

Distribution of the 18 lock-chambers

Maximum traffic dimensions on the Telemark Canal

External links

* [http://www.telemarkskanalen.no The Telemark Canal]