Fort, vesting en -onderdelen, Sluis bij Nigtevecht Nigtevecht (Stichtse Vecht 26)

English translation

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Description

Cluster 6.

Lock.

NIEUWE HOLLANDSE WATERLINIE

Introduction

SMALL LOCK CHAMBER, INTAKE AND BARRIER LOCK near Nigtevecht as an essential, but initially for civil functions constructed, component of the inundation system of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie. The defence system of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie was in the first place based on the controlled flooding of (large) land areas. Controlled inundation required an ingenious system of water works, such as locks, weirs and canals, by which the necessary water level could be set and maintained quickly and within strict limits. Many different types of locks were employed, depending on the place where they functioned in the system. Sometimes already existing shipping, drainage or barrier locks were used, but many new ones were also built or existing ones (substantially) adapted. When the Merwedekanaal, a shipping link from Amsterdam with the Lek and the Waal, was constructed around 1890, locks were built at various locations also to create connections with adjoining watercourses. At Nigtevecht two lock chambers were built in parallel which formed a navigable link with the Vecht. Both are oriented roughly north-south. The small lock chamber, intake and barrier lock was built as the western of two with three interconnected dwellings for lock staff between the locks (not protected by national decree). The lock functioned as a barrier lock through the installation of a so-called needle weir or possibly through the placement of stop planks; by opening it could serve as an intake lock. Over the locks lay previously lifting bridges on the southern side. The one over the small lock has been replaced by a dam as a permanent shore connection; as a result the lock is no longer in operation.

Description

The SMALL LOCK CHAMBER, INTAKE AND BARRIER LOCK near Nigtevecht is situated somewhat to the west of the village and forms the navigable link between the Merwedekanaal / later Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal and the Vecht. The lock was - like the parallel large lock - constructed around 1885 in connection with, but preceding the canal and received, in addition to the civil function of a lock for shipping, also a role within the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie as an intake and barrier lock. The lock including the heads was approximately 60 m long, while the navigation width was approximately 6.00 m. The lock is bricked somewhat lens-shaped on the basis of basalt blocks with coping stones. The southern head is sealed off. In the northern head the former pointed gates facing the Vecht side are missing from both gate niches. Scot plank grooves are spared in the heads.

Valuation

The SMALL LOCK CHAMBER, INTAKE AND BARRIER LOCK to the west of Nigtevecht is of general importance because of:

* Cultural-historical values as a component of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie as designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and initially from 1815 realized by him, Jan Blanken and major-engineer Willem Offerhaus and subsequently by others for more than 125 years strengthened and improved. This is a component from around 1890 that is an example of a civil work related to historical military-strategic construction and which served, among other things, as water intake and water barrier.

* Ensemble value as a component of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie. Also because of the functional and physical coherence with the other components of the complex.

* Situational values due to the location between the watercourses and the environment which has been altered only to a minor extent.

* The component is, despite the loss of some components, such as the lock gates and part of the southern head, reasonably representative (characteristic) as a lock chamber with a military secondary function.

* The component is reasonably well preserved because it - despite the loss of the gates and part of the southern head - has remained in recognizable form, particularly when viewed in conjunction with the large lock.