Örebro canal

Connects Örebro to lake Hjälmaren via Svartån.

Waiting at the lock	In the lock chamber	During lockage

Leaving the lock	The guest habrour

All pictures by Hans Rosell

Total length	Total elevation	Number of locks	Max boatlength	Max boatwidth	Max draught	Max free height	Max speed
Cirka 3 km	2 m	1	30 m	7 m	1,9 m	Unlimited	3 and 5 knots

History:
Svartån was canalized from Örebro into lake Hjälmaren when the level of the lake was lowered in the 1880ies. It is believed that the canal and lock was inaugurated in 1888.

Since long ago Örebro had a vast shipping-business, but land elevation eventually made this impossible. There was an increase in sea transports when Hjälmare canal was built, but as the canal was poorly built and often closed, shipping was often stopped.
When lake Hjälmaren and the Kvismare lakes were lowered in the 1880ies the fairways in Hjälmaren were much improved and in 1886 to 1888 Svartån from Örebro to Hjälmaren was canalized. This meant a 2,5 kilometer canal between the lake and the town with a depth of 2,3 meter and one lock at Skebäck. This lock is still used, as is the canal.

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