Safe water touring ♥ Leipzig Region

Important information on water touring

Rules to protect nature and people

Plan your boat trip carefully

Additional information for canoeists

Observe seasonal restrictions on navigating the White Elster river

Find out about dangers

Use landing and entry points

Be considerate of nature and your fellow human beings

Find out about the waterways

Protect plants and animals

Additional information for motorboat users

Observe speed limits

Alcohol limits...

…apply to anyone piloting a boat on their own responsibility (skipper) and also to those determining the course and speed (so-called helmsman).
The legal alcohol limit is 0,25 mg/l (an alcohol level of 0.5) – independently of the kind of engine in the boat.

Boat registration

Boats with an engine size of 2.21 kW (3 HP) are subject to obligatory registration in accordance with the inland waterway transport regulations (Binnenschifffahrtsstraßenordnung).
Boats must have a permanently mounted name or motto on both sides. The size of the writing must be at least 10 cm and in a contrasting colour to that of the hull.
In addition, a label with the name of the boat's owner (and contact details) must be attached on the inside.
Boats with an engine size of more than 2.21 kW (3 HP) require an official or officially recognised registration plate.

Water police availability by phone

Leipzig/Markkleeberg: +49 (0)162 2380394

Using the locks in the Leipzig region

Operation of the locks
is broadly standardised but is not always identical. Please read the signs at each lock as well as the information on the electronic noticeboard. Below, you will find information about operating the locks as well as safety information.

1. Press the request switch at the mooring point. To do so, briefly press the blue lever towards the boat.
2. The lock action is initiated by the control system; you may need to wait for a counter-action of the lock to complete.
3. The lock gate is opened and once the lights change to green, you can
enter the lock chamber.
4. Once all boats are in the lock, these should be secured to the bollards using ropes, allowing for the
height difference of approx. 3 feet. (Ropes should be attached loosely to allow adjustment! Canoeists can hold onto the sides)
5. Next, press the blue request switch to continue the lock process. Please only press the request switch when you are sure that all boats are in the lock. Check for any following boats.
6. The lock gate will then close automatically and the water level will be adjusted.
7. Once the water level has completely adjusted, the gate at the other end will open and the signal light for the exit will change to green.
8. You may only leave the lock chamber when the exit signal is green.

Safety equipment and safety information:

1. The lock has various safeguards around the lock gates to prevent people or objects from being trapped between the lock gate and the wall of the lock. If any of these safeguards are triggered, all the lights will flash red and the gate will stop moving. To proceed with the lock process, the request switch in the lock chamber must be pressed again.
2. In an emergency, the lock process can be stopped using the red emergency switch in the lock chamber. All lights will flash red. The lock process can be reactivated by the facility operator. An error message to the operator will be transmitted automatically.
3. In the event of a general fault, all the lights will also flash red; the lock is not operational. 4. If the lock is not in operation (see operating hours), all the lights are switched off.

MS Wachau in the lock leading to Lake Störmthal. — MS Wachau going through the lock at the Störmthal Canal into Störmthal Lake.

Rules of usage for water tourism facilities

The facilities
provided for water tourism (landing stages, locks etc.) in the Leipzig New Lake District waterway network are for general use by tourists as well as for water sports at both amateur and competitive levels. The facilities are also designed to contribute to the protection and preservation of the waterside environment by allowing anyone access to the waterway network in the Leipzig New Lake District.

Notes
1. Please take good care of the facility.
2. Every user of the facility is obliged to comply with the shipping regulations and rules for use of the waterways.
3. It is forbidden to barbecue, sunbathe, swim, fish or light open fires near the facility or to use the facility in any way counter to its intended purpose of water tourism.
4. The facility is to be kept clean and tidy at all times. Rubbish must be properly disposed of.
5. Attention must be paid to the surrounding traffic when mooring up or casting off.
6. In poor weather and light conditions, the facility should be used in accordance with the prevailing conditions. The facility will not be serviced in winter.
7. The facility may not be used at times when the use of the waterways is prohibited due to high or low water, or for any other reason. Use of the facility provided for water tourism is also prohibited if it is visibly flooded, or its operation is distinctly impaired owing to natural events.

Protection periods of the waters in the Leipzig Region

Leipzig is located among a floodplain landscape of European importance (Natura 2000). On a national level, the area is also a landscape conservation area, with parts of it being a nature conservation area. Certain sections of the waterways require special protection because the flora and fauna are particularly vulnerable. Certain rules of usage apply to these areas. Please respect nature. Do not navigate closed or blocked-off backwaters, and when mooring, use only the designated and marked areas.

Navigability of the Floßgraben (Route 1)

Protection periods White Elster

Navigability

Note

Water levels in the Leipzig Region

Flood warning by the City of Leipzig via text message and email

The City of Leipzig offers a new service for flood warnings. The flood warning system warns you quickly and easily about the danger of floods via text message or e-mail. You will receive a warning message corresponding to the level of flooding for the vulnerable areas of the rivers White Elster, Pleiße, Parthe and Burgaue (northern floodplain forest).

All you have to do is register for the warning system.All you have to do is register for the warning system. You can also register and ask questions by calling the citizen's telephone number: 0341 123-0
To register by SMS, send an SMS to the phone number 0177 1784144 with the following text or keyword:

Warning for the area of the White Elster and the Pleiße: Elster
Warning for the Parthe: Parthe
Warning for the area of the Burgaue due to the opening of the near outlet building in the area of the "Luppe": Burgaue
To unsubscribe, please send: Stop

To register by email, please send an email to anmeldung.hochwasser@leipzig.de with the subject Elster, Parthe or Burgaue. To unsubscribe, enter Stop in the subject line.

The SMS warning service (receipt of warnings) is free of charge. Users of the service will be charged for the SMS for subscribing to or unsubscribing from the service, depending on the terms and conditions of the customer's mobile service provider. For technical reasons, the SMS warning service cannot fully guarantee the delivery of an SMS. Breakdowns are to be expected, particularly in the event of disruptions to the mobile communications network, the Internet or the power supply, which can occur during floods. The SMS warning service does not replace local instructions from authorities such as the City of Leipzig, police or emergency services in a dangerous situation. These must be followed unconditionally. Generally, any warranty or liability claims arising from the use of the SMS warning service are excluded for the reasons stated.

The City of Leipzig offers a new service for flood warnings. The flood warning system warns you quickly and easily about the danger of floods via text message or e-mail. You will receive a warning message corresponding to the level of flooding for the vulnerable areas of the rivers White Elster, Pleiße, Parthe and Burgaue (northern floodplain forest).

All you have to do is register for the warning system.All you have to do is register for the warning system. You can also register and ask questions by calling the citizen's telephone number: 0341 123-0
To register by SMS, send an SMS to the phone number 0177 1784144 with the following text or keyword:

Warning for the area of the White Elster and the Pleiße: Elster
Warning for the Parthe: Parthe
Warning for the area of the Burgaue due to the opening of the near outlet building in the area of the "Luppe": Burgaue
To unsubscribe, please send: Stop

To register by email, please send an email to anmeldung.hochwasser@leipzig.de with the subject Elster, Parthe or Burgaue. To unsubscribe, enter Stop in the subject line.

The SMS warning service (receipt of warnings) is free of charge. Users of the service will be charged for the SMS for subscribing to or unsubscribing from the service, depending on the terms and conditions of the customer's mobile service provider. For technical reasons, the SMS warning service cannot fully guarantee the delivery of an SMS. Breakdowns are to be expected, particularly in the event of disruptions to the mobile communications network, the Internet or the power supply, which can occur during floods. The SMS warning service does not replace local instructions from authorities such as the City of Leipzig, police or emergency services in a dangerous situation. These must be followed unconditionally. Generally, any warranty or liability claims arising from the use of the SMS warning service are excluded for the reasons stated.

Information

Danger zones on waterways in the Leipzig region

Attention, danger zone!

Route 1

Course 1a

Course 2

Course 5

Route 7

Its successive implementation is planned in the coming years.

A uniform signage system for Leipzig’s waterways will control boat traffic and facilitate safe usage for recreational and competitive sports and passenger ships. The new information will apply to the most heavily used boating routes for water tourism by muscle-powered boats and passenger boats, and will ensure increased awareness when passing through bridges and junctions, as well as the training areas of water sports teams. It will also provide tips on boating and conduct as well as assigning "traffic lanes".

Canoeist on the Karl Heine Canal. — The Karl Heine Canal is a man-made waterway in the west of the City of Leipzig that particularly welcomes sports enthusiasts to take a boat trip or come canoeing.

Signage systems
Signposts enable the user to navigate from the city harbour (Stadthafen) to their destination. Along the route, information panels provide additional tourist information about the waterway network. Signs for bridges, jetties, marinas, mooring points and boathouses, portage points and entry and exit points, are visible from the water.
The signage system provides helpful orientation from the water for visitors and local water tourists.
Sailing navigation signs
The signage uses generally applicable symbols for inland waterways navigation to ensure comprehension and promote safety.
The legal basis is the Federal inland waterways regulation for the signage of waterways (Binnenschifffahrtsstraßenordnung).
Map symbols
A uniform depiction of tourism infrastructure and information relating to water tourism on official maps, information signs and the website facilitates orientation for water tourists.
A collection of symbols has been compiled for the Leipzig New Lake District waterway network that is based on the official pictograms of the Federal Canoeing Association BVKanu and the PIANC pictograms (International Navigation Association, the most widely recognised and used signage system for water tourism in Europe).

Motorboat use

Permission for the use of motorised water vehicles (motorboats and sailing boats with auxiliary engines) in Leipzig New Lake District must be applied for in advance.
For Lake Hain, Lake Störmthal and Lake Zwenkau, permission can be obtained from the respective harbour master or harbour operator.
For all other lakes and running waters, the use of motorboats must be applied for at the relevant authorities of the City of Leipzig or the district administration offices.
You can find more information here.

Notes on the debris deflector at Connewitz lock

Zweckverband Kommunales Forum Südraum Leipzig

Rathausplatz 1, 04416 Markkleeberg
Contact: Dr Steffi Raatzsch
Tel: +49 (0)341 353216 or +49 (0)341 3533 210
Email: info@kommunalesforum.de

Office Grüner Ring Leipzig

Leipziger Straße 6, 04451 Borsdorf
Contact: Heike König
Tel.: +49 (0)34291 20412
Email: geschaeftsstelle@gruenerring-leipzig.de

Stadt Leipzig– Amt für Stadtgrün und Gewässer (City of Leipzig – Department for Urban Parks and Water Bodies Authority)

Prager Straße 118-136 (Haus A), 04317 Leipzig
Contact: Angela Zabojnik
Tel.: +49 (0)341 1231611 Email: angela.zabojnik@leipzig.de

Speaker for the Grüner Ring Leipzig

c/o Stadt Leipzig, Dezernat Umwelt, Ordnung, Sport
Martin-Luther-Ring 4-6, 04109 Leipzig
Contact: Deputy Mayor Heiko Rosenthal

Sächsischer Kanu-Verband e.V. (Saxon Canoe Club)

Goyastraße 2d, 04105 Leipzig
Tel.: +49 (0)341 9839121 or +49 (0)341 9839122
Email: info@kanu-sachsen.de

Segler-Verband Sachsen e.V. (Saxon Sailing Society)

Moschelstraße 17, 04109 Leipzig
Tel.: +49 (0)341 9831140
Email: seglerverbandsachsen.gs@t-online.de

Landes-Kanu-Verband Sachsen-Anhalt e.V. (Saxony-Anhalt State Canoe Association)

Kleiner Werder 5, 39114 Magdeburg
Tel.: +49 (0)391 5981966
Email: info@kanu-sachsen-anhalt.de

Landes-Seglerverband Sachsen-Anhalt e.V. (Saxony-Anhalt Sailing Society)

Thietmarstraße 18, 39128 Magdeburg
Tel.: +49 (0)391 256117

Section	Navigation possible from	No navigation during the special protection period
Course 1a Knauthain to Grosszschocher weir	Navigation is permitted	15 February - 15 May
Course 3 Wahren weir to mouth of the Luppe	Navigation only as part of an organised group e.g. as part of a club or association, or in groups organised by an operator of guided canoe tours	1 January–31 July
Route 3 Döllnitz weir to Röpzig	Navigation with special permit only	May, June – September

Section	Navigation possible from	No navigation during the special protection period
Course 1a Knauthain to Grosszschocher weir	Navigation is permitted	15 February - 15 May
Course 3 Wahren weir to mouth of the Luppe	Navigation only as part of an organised group e.g. as part of a club or association, or in groups organised by an operator of guided canoe tours	1 January–31 July
Route 3 Döllnitz weir to Röpzig	Navigation with special permit only	May, June – September