Forsvik

This is where the building of Göta Canal started in 1811. The lock was finished in 1813 and was inaugurated in October that year with pomp and circumstance.
Forsvik has plenty of industrial memories. A forgery was founded for the canal works and many of the iron details were forged here. Together with Motala Works which also was founded for the canal works, considered the cradle of Swedish mechanical industry. Today an interesting industrial museum.
In the harbour downstreams the lock there is an iron crane built at the works here, and in the lock there is an forged iron bascule built at the works too. This bridge is still there and it is still usable. It is not in daily use, only at special occassions.
The Forsvik lock is the biggest in Göta Canal. It contains 1 000 cubicmeter water, while the other locks contain 700 cubicmeter.
It also have the highest elevation of all single chamber locks, 3,5 meter.

There is a bridge across the canal inside the chamber.
© Picture from 1979
by Ingemar Nordlund
A sightseeingboat leaving the lock.
© Picture from 2001
by Olle Sewerin
A "ship" entering the lock from downstreams.
© Picture from 2001
by Olle Sewerin

View towards north i Bottensjön. Forsvik harbour far up at left.
The entrance to Forsvik harbour from Bottensjön
The manouver house for lock and bridge.


The upstream gates are opened as is the modern bridge. At far left you can see the semaphore that regulates traffic upstreams on Forsvik canal.	The lock seen from downstreams with the lower gates open.	Passenger boat Sandön entering the lock from downstreams. At left the manouver house.	The old bascule bridge.	The old bascule bridge.


Sandön during lockage.	Sandön leaving the lock.	The old bascule bridge is closed.	The old bascule bridge is closed.


During lockage	Modern managers of the old bridge	The bridge opened	The old crane in Forsvik harbour	During lockage uppstreams


During lockage uppstreams	During lockage uppstreams	Leaving the lock	This lock- and bridge-keeper house was built in 1914. Today it's a café

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There is a bridge across the canal inside the chamber. © Picture from 1979 by Ingemar Nordlund	A sightseeingboat leaving the lock. © Picture from 2001 by Olle Sewerin	A "ship" entering the lock from downstreams. © Picture from 2001 by Olle Sewerin


View towards north i Bottensjön. Forsvik harbour far up at left.	The entrance to Forsvik harbour from Bottensjön	The manouver house for lock and bridge.