Canal Dunkerque-Escaut

Canal Dunkerque-Escaut
Map of Dunkerq Escaut Waterway
Specifications
Canal length:	187 km (116 mi) Dunkirk to Belgium via Valenciennes [1]
Max boat length:	143 m (469 ft)
Max boat beam:	11 m (36 ft)
Current locks:	14 [1]
History
Geography

The Canal Dunkerque-Escaut is a 189 km series of large canals from Dunkerque to Mortagne-du-Nord. The route is also known as the liaison, La Liaison au Grand Gabarit, Canal au Grand Gabarit, Dunkerque-Escaut Waterway and Liaison Dunkerque-Escaut.

The Grand Gabarit (English: Large Gauge) canal route was created after the Second World War to accommodate very large commercial vessels - up to 143m long by 11m wide. This includes push-tows and side-by-side configurations. Existing canals were straightened and widened; and locks (ecluses) were enlarged.

The route

Different references have it as different lengths depending on beginning and ending points. All agree on the beginning as Dunkerque:

• Ending in Doornik Belgium is 202 km (126 mi) with 14 locks^[2]
• Ending at Belgium border is 187 km (116 mi) with 14 locks ^[1]
• Ending at Mortagne-du-Nord 189 km (117 mi) with 14 locks ^[3]

The route includes, starting in Dunkerque:^{[1] [3]}

• Canal de Bourbourg from Dunkerque to 50°53′19″N 2°14′49″E / 50.88869°N 2.24696°E / 50.88869; 2.24696 between Lynck and Pont l'Abbesse
• Canal de la Colme from 50°53′19″N 2°14′49″E / 50.88869°N 2.24696°E / 50.88869; 2.24696 to Watten
• River Aa from Watten to Arques
• Canal de Neufossé from Arques to Aire-sur-la-Lys
• Canal d'Aire from Aire-sur-la-Lys to Bauvin
• Canal de la Deûle from Bauvin to Douai
• Canal de la Sensée from Douai to Bassin Rond
• River Scheldt from Bassin Rond via Valenciennes to Belgium

See also

List of canals in France

External links

• Grand Gabarit guide Places, ports and moorings on the canal(s).
• Map

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} McKnight, Hugh (2005). Cruising French Waterways, 4th Edition. Sheridan House. ISBN 8124-0152-1. 
2. ^ Jefferson, David (2009). Through the French Canals. Adlard Coles Nautical. pp. 275. ISBN 978-1-4081-0381-4. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Vois Navigables France Itinéraires Fluviaux. Editions De L'Ecluse. 2009. ISBN 978-2-916919-21-8.