Schutsluis

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, in Dutch. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

Description

Lock with weir / Weir / Dam lock (Cothen).

NEW HOLLANDIC WATER LINE

Introduction

LOCK WITH WEIR / WEIR / DAM LOCK (Cothen) as built around 1870, specially for the canalization and development as an 'inundation canal' of the Kromme Rijn. The defence system of the New Hollandic Water Line was primarily based on the controlled flooding of (large) terrain surfaces. Controlled inundation required an ingenious system of water works, such as locks, weirs and canals, by means of which the necessary water level could be rapidly established and maintained within narrow limits. Many different types of locks were deployed, depending on the location where they functioned in the system. Sometimes existing shipping, drainage or non-return locks were used, but many new ones were also built or existing ones (significantly) adapted. The lock at Cothen was specially built for use within the framework of the New Hollandic Water Line, but could also be used for shipping purposes. In a bed shifted somewhat to the south, the work comprises two parallel watercourses of approximately equal width: the southern one is the lock, the northern one contains a weir / weir system / dam lock. This 'parallel construction' occurs relatively rarely. Little now remains recognizable of the old bed; only a low steep edge remains near some houses on the north bank. The river, dammed upstream at Wijk bij Duurstede for centuries and fed only via a sluice from the Neder-Rijn, was scarcely navigable by around 1870, and the works were also intended to improve this. The lock at Cothen formed part of a series of three more or less identical examples, of which the one to the northeast of the downstream Werkhoven also still exists. These two locks offered passage for vessels up to just over 25 m in length and 5 m in width. The no longer existing lock at Wijk bij Duurstede was smaller and could lock vessels of 20 x 4 m. All three - just like the sluice lock and other works at Wijk bij Duurstede - were funded by the military Engineering corps, which also initiated the canalization. This was carried out in the years 1866-1871. The weir / weir / dam lock was modernized in 2007 by the installation of an electrically controlled flap weir mechanism; the watercourse was also extended and a fish pass was constructed in the work, and an iron operating bridge was created, whereby this watercourse changed noticeably within the brickwork. The removal of the original closure means a loss of integrity. Furthermore, most of the cast and wrought iron components found on and around the lock have been replaced by sheet iron replicas and iron piping. At the same time, the wooden doors in the lock were renewed. In the vicinity of the lock, the original lock keeper's house, partially modified, still stands.

Description

The LOCK WITH WEIR / WEIR / DAM LOCK (Cothen) comprises a relatively small lock executed almost entirely in brick that can be closed by means of two sets of pointed doors and optionally also with dropped gate panels. The length of the lock built around 1870 is approximately 35 m (including the heads) and the width approximately 5.00 m. The lock chamber length is approximately 28 m. In the northern lock wall a foundation stone of undetermined date with: "The first stone / laid / by the First Lieutenant / Engineer / P.G. van Schermbeek" Along the lock iron balustrades on iron balusters. On the central head cast iron lanterns. On the lock heads, partly provided with natural stone coping plates, four iron winding mechanisms provided with handle bars for operating the doors. The wooden doors open towards the upstream side and are provided with walkways with railings and with iron winding mechanisms and slides. On the upstream side, parallel to the lock, a watercourse of approximately equal width but just over 10 m long, executed in masonry and provided with natural stone elements, executed as a weir / weir / dam lock with recesses, in which a total of five rows (1 x 1 and 2 x 2) of gate panels could be lowered.

Valuation

The LOCK WITH WEIR / WEIR / DAM LOCK (Cothen) is of general importance because of:

* Cultural-historical values as part of the New Hollandic Water Line as designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and initially realized from 1815 by him, Jan Blanken and major engineer Willem Offerhaus and subsequently strengthened and improved by others over approximately 125 years.

* Architectural-historical values, in particular as an expression of road and water engineering linked to military-strategic objectives, based on the system of water management, inundation and access defence (19th century).

It is an expression of historical water engineering related to military-strategic building practice, namely a water barrier with weir for military purposes, with the secondary function of (civil) lock.

* Ensemble value and situational values as part of the New Hollandic Water Line in general and because of the special role in managing the water level in the canalized Kromme Rijn by means of several other water works and because of the connection with the lock keeper's houses.

* The component is representative because it emphasizes the application of locks and weir works in the functioning of the New Hollandic Water Line in combination with civil functions. The component has relative rarity due to the parallel construction of lock and weir / weir / dam lock.

* The component is fairly well preserved because main form, architectural detailing and various components remain recognizable (preserved or as replicas) and have remained functional.