One of the calmer routes is the Haren–Rütenbrock canal
which takes you from the Netherlands to the
Dortmund-Ems-Kanal
Major German federal waterway running from Dortmund to the port of Emden. The HRK
connects to it at Haren (Ems), approximately at km 212.
in Germany.
Fun fact is that when you want to navigate the canal, you have to do this in
convoy
All vessels transit together as a group, one behind the other. The tallest boat leads
so that bridge operators know the maximum clearance needed.
.
This starts (coming from the Netherlands) at the first bridge. The highest boat needs
to be all the way up front so they can measure how high the bridges have to be opened.
The bridges are remotely controlled. In the canal, there are no places to "moor",
so you have to continue to the end of the canal.
This was already documented about the Haren–Rütenbrock canal in 2008:
The waterway from Ter Apel to Haren (Ems) on the Dortmund–Ems Canal
With the exception of the River Rhine, this is the only cross-border inland waterway connection with Germany.
The lock in the Haren–Rütenbrock Canal at the Dutch border is operated by the lock keeper
of the 7th Verlaat. The lock directly across the Dutch border is normally left open.
When arriving from Germany, vessels must, at the Dutch border near the ESSO petrol station
(Potze family) on the Rütenbrockerweg opposite the lock, contact the lock keeper of the 7th Verlaat
by telephone for the operation of the bridges and locks in the Dutch section of the
Haren–Rütenbrock Canal.
The telephone number is available at the petrol station (06-56 92 35 457).
See further instructions at the bridge.
Operation of structures in the Haren–Rütenbrock Canal (Germany)
The operating hours of the structures in the Haren–Rütenbrock Canal as known at the
time were:
From 1 April to 1 November
Monday to Friday: 08.00 – 12.30 and 13.00 – 18.00
Saturday: 08.00 – 13.00
Sundays and public holidays: closed
In exceptional cases, different operating hours could apply.
Due to the lack of mooring facilities, vessels were required to enter the canal
at least 2.5 hours before the end of the operating hours.
During the period from 1 November to 1 April, passage was only
possible after prior telephone notification, at least one week in advance.
Operation was carried out remotely from Haren (Ems). If required, contact could be
made with:
A. NLKW Operations Office Meppen
Haselühner Strasse 78
49716 Meppen
Tel. +49 5931 406 175
B. Schleuzel Operations Building
Tel. +49 5932 4376
Mobile: +49 171 477 2783
Haren as a stopover
While not too big, Haren is a very nice town to stay for a night (or more). Within walking
distance, there are nice restaurants, grocery shops and you are right in the middle of the
center. You'll also find a nice museum "Schifffahrtsmuseum". Certainly worth a visit.
Skipper's Information (HRK)
Here is some practical "skipper's information" for the Haren–Rütenbrock Canal (HRK),
with emphasis on convoy sailing (
Kolonnenschleusungen
German term for convoy lockage — the regulated system where all vessels transit the
canal together in a single group, coordinated through fixed entry windows at each lock.
), transit rules, and what you need to plan for in practice.
Convoy navigation (Kolonnenschleusungen) and meeting restrictions
During construction or maintenance works, the HRK may be operated with convoy lockages
from both directions, without opposing traffic in the work section.
In practice this means:
You navigate through the canal in a group/convoy (one after another);
There are fixed "entry windows" at the locks;
You cannot simply stop or moor along the way if you miss your slot: if you are late,
you will normally be held back until the next convoy or operating period.
Example of such a regime (season 2025 due to bridge and construction works):
Entry at
Schleuse 1
The lock at Haren at the connection with the Dortmund-Emskanal.
This is where you pay the fees and where the convoy lockages are coordinated from.
(Haren): 08:00–10:00
Entry at
Grenzschleuse
The border lock at Rütenbrock on the German side of the Dutch–German border.
Under normal conditions it is left open, but under construction regimes it becomes
the entry point for southbound convoys.
(Rütenbrock): 13:00–15:00
Note: these time windows were explicitly published for the limited 2025 navigation season.
For 2026, times and procedures may change; always check the latest official notices before
departure.
Season, closures, and lack of flexibility
In 2025, the canal was only partially open due to construction works and then closed
from 30 September, with reopening announced for the 2026 season. Temporary closures,
changed operating hours, or additional waiting times may occur due to ongoing works.
Some sources emphasise that you cannot enter late in the day, because the entire route
must be completed in one run. In practical terms: you must enter well before the end of
the operating window.
Dimensions, draught, and temporary restrictions
During the 2025 works, the maximum permitted beam was temporarily reduced from 6.00 m to 5.50 m.
Always verify whether this restriction still applies in the season you intend to transit.
Locks and bridges: what to expect en route
Expect several locks and bridges along the canal. There are references to approximately
four locks and twelve bridges, operated and coordinated from Schleuse 1 in Haren.
In practice this means: have
fenders
Rubber or foam bumpers hung over the side of the boat to protect the hull when
mooring alongside lock walls, pontoons, or other vessels.
and mooring lines ready, and maintain proper spacing
and speed discipline when sailing in convoy.
Fees / charges (HRK)
As of 1 April 2026,
NLWKN
Niedersächsischer Landesbetrieb für Wasserwirtschaft, Küsten- und Naturschutz —
the Lower Saxony State Office for Water Management, Coastal Defense and Nature
Conservation. They administer the HRK on the German side.
replaced the old per-category flat fees with a day-ticket and vignette system:
Recreational craft: €10 / day
Commercial / charter craft: €20 / day
Annual vignette (full season): €25
Human-powered craft not using locks or movable bridges: free
A multi-region annual vignette covering all three NLWKN waterways (HRK, Elbe-Weser,
and East Frisia) is also available via the DMYV. NLWKN cited rising electricity, fuel,
and staffing costs as the reason for the change.
Payments are (normally) made at Lock 1 at Haren, but can also be performed
at the lock at the border.
Leitstelle / Schleuse I (Haren-Rütenbrock-Kanal)
Tel: +49 171 4772738
More information regarding the fees you can get from the NLWKN
The same source provides links to the official tariff regulations and the canal usage
regulations, which are useful to download or print and keep on board.
Practical navigation tips (very relevant on the day itself)
Plan to transit the canal in one continuous passage. Do not rely on convenient waiting or
resting places to recover from a missed entry window.
Arrive early at the entry lock, especially when convoy sailing is in force. Make sure you
are ready well before the opening window, with lines, fenders, and communications prepared.
Allow for waiting time caused by construction works and lock operation, and expect a
strict no-meeting rule in work sections, meaning little operational flexibility.
Shortly before departure, always check the latest
Notices to Skippers
Official navigational warnings published by waterway authorities (Dutch: Berichten aan
Schippers; German: Nachrichten für Schiffer). Check these for lock closures, temporary
restrictions, and current operating times.
for the HRK and, if applicable, the
ELWIS
Elektronisches Wasserstraßen-Informations-System — the German federal Electronic
Waterways Information System, providing up-to-date notices, charts, and traffic data
for German federal waterways.
/
WSV
Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsverwaltung des Bundes — the German Federal Waterways
and Shipping Administration, responsible for maintaining and operating federal waterways
including the Dortmund-Ems-Kanal and the HRK.
publications for current operating times and any temporary restrictions.
How to get to the Rütenbrock entrance of the Canal
To get to the Dutch side of the canal, there are roughly 2 main routes:
From the North (
Ter Apelerkanaal
The canal connecting Ter Apel to the northern Dutch waterway network via Stadskanaal
and Groningen. Historically the primary approach route to the HRK.
)
From the South (
Stads-Compascuumkanaal
The final Dutch canal before the German border, connecting the peat-district canal
network to the Barnflair lock and the start of the HRK.
)
Both routes go over inland canals in The Netherlands. And both bring you to the
Barnflair
The Dutch harbor and bridge/lock at the start of the Haren–Rütenbrock Canal,
marking the Netherlands–Germany border crossing point for inland waterways.
Bridge & Lock. The bridge is a lifting bridge and the lock is normally open.
From the North
This is the historically oldest route to the HRK. The southern route was only
re-opened in 2013.
When you use the route from the North, you will face objects on the route. For example:
When you navigate from Winschoten, along Stadskanaal to Barnflair, it is approx. 45 km.
But there will be at least 6 locks and 51 bridges on this entire stretch.
Another route takes you from Center city Groningen to Barnflair: Approx 65 km, 34 bridges and 2 locks.
So, seen from Andijk you can take the northern route(s):
Andijk - Stavoren -
Prinses Margrietkanaal
Major Dutch canal through Friesland, connecting the IJsselmeer ports (Lemmer, Stavoren)
to the Groningen canal network. Named after Princess Margriet of the Netherlands.
- Groningen - Stadskanaal - Barnflair
(***) This was from the Prinses Margrietkanaal, mainly the route
taken by Jacco in 2008.
From the South
Fig.7 - Erica - Barnflair
In 2008, when Jacco made this trip, this route was NOT available.
The route south to Meppel became available in May 2013. It is also known as the Erica - Ter Apel route.
This route connects the southern parts and northern parts again. The connections were not
navigable since end 1969 (according to local information). The restored route was originally meant
to transport fuel.
We can make a long story short: The old routes used for inland transportation, that had not been
in use since the late 1960s, are (or have been) made available for pleasure vessels to navigate.
Places like Emmen are now reachable by boat again. (Not that there are ANY facilities in Emmen!)
For example: When you navigate from Almelo, it is possible to navigate (roughly) towards Coevorden
and there head to Barnflair. (Be aware of your dimensions!)
Online Info
We found some online information about the HRK and the surrounding areas:
We try to update this website as often as possible!
The upgrade plans
24 Januari 2026
Our upgrade plans.
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