--- title: "Water Hiking - but safely ♥ Leipzig Region" url: "https://www.leipzig.travel/en/experience/water-hiking-in-leipzig/safety-tips" description: "Important safety tips for your safety when you are travelling on Leipzig’s waterways ► Leipzig ahoy - but safely!" language: "en" breadcrumb: "Root > Leipzig Travel > Experience > Water > Water hiking > Important information about water hiking" --- Information on Water Touring ============================ Safe and responsible on the water - - - - - - - Important information Latest news from the Tourist Waterways Network - 11/07/2026 - Connewitz Lock - Reduction in lock operations due to low water levels Due to the current low-water situation in the River Pleisse, the number of lock operations per hour has been reduced from 4 to around 2 since Saturday, 11 July 2026. This measure will result in longer waiting times at the lock (in the worst case, up to 25 minutes of actual waiting time + approx. 15 minutes to pass through the lock). However, carrying boats around the lock and using the fish-canoe pass (boat slide) remain fully possible, regardless of lock operations. The Office for Urban Green Spaces and Waterways asks for your understanding. - 1 April 2026 Connewitz and Cospuden locks start the seasonSince 1 April, the Connewitz and Cospuden locks have once again been available for water touring. In April, the locks are operational from 10 am to 6 pm, from May to September from 10 am to 8 pm, and in October from 10 am to 6 pm. During operating hours, staff from the Leipzig/Engelsdorf municipal enterprise provide information and support for lock users directly on site. Rules to protect people and nature - Plan your boat tour carefullyPlease note the navigability of the waters for different types of boats. Marked and cordoned-off side waters must not be navigated. - What canoeists need to knowAll routes in the Tourist Waterway Network are navigable for canoeists. Special regulations apply on some sections of the River Weisse Elster to protect nature − please observe them. - Observe seasonal periods when navigating the River Weisse ElsterTo ensure that the River Weisse Elster can be used in harmony with nature, navigation must be avoided on the section between Knauthain and the Großzschocher weir from 15 February to 15 May. Downstream of the TSV 1893 Leipzig Wahren entry point, please observe the requirement to navigate in guided groups from 1 August each year. - Find out about hazardsUse of the waterways is at your own risk. For your own safety, please put on a life jacket. Please also keep to the right on all waterways and follow the instructions for operating the locks. Pay particular attention to current conditions near weirs and barrages. For your own safety, always keep a sufficient distance here. - Use landing and launching pointsUse the places specially provided and marked for this purpose. Avoid the sensitive bank areas with reed beds, waterside plants, wet meadows and dense riparian woodland so as not to enter the habitats of birds, small animals and plants. - Show consideration for nature and othersPlease generally show consideration for nature and for other people, avoid travelling in larger groups, especially on the more natural sections of the waterways, and avoid unnecessary noise. It is also not permitted to enter the bathing areas of the lakes or other areas marked by buoys (e.g. in the southern part of Lake Cospuden). Please note: The regulations on seasonal abstention from navigation in priority nature conservation areas and on refraining from trips during low water levels are voluntary commitments to protect nature and the landscape. As part of monitoring carried out alongside the development of water tourism use in the protected areas, the effectiveness of all regulations is reviewed. If framework conditions change, adjustments can be made. With regard to the existing voluntary commitments, this may range from formal recognition (signing of a rulebook by clubs, commercial providers and local authorities) to being enshrined in nature conservation or water-law regulations. - Obtain waterway informationBefore starting a boat trip, find out about the conditions and water levels on the waterways. You can find information about flood warnings and water levels on the relevant websites (see below). In the event of high water levels, poor visibility, or storms, you should avoid taking a boat trip for your own safety or stop it immediately. At the Palmengarten Weir, a special warning is issued when water levels are elevated by means of a red ball, which is clearly visible from afar on the building above the central pillar. You should also avoid navigating the waterways during low water levels (< 30 cm for human-powered boats and < 60 cm for motorboats), not only for reasons of nature conservation and aquatic ecology, but also for your own safety. - Protect animals and plantsPlease keep a sufficient distance from the banks, especially in near-natural sections of water, to avoid disturbing animal and plant life. - What motorboat users need to knowMotorboat traffic is permitted on sections of the White Elster and the Pleiße, the Elster and Pleiße flood channels, the Karl-Heine Canal, in Lindenau Harbour and also on certain connecting canals between the lakes. Powered boat and raft trips are only permitted with authorisation. This can be obtained from the responsible water authorities of the City of Leipzig and the district offices. Please take care not to interfere with the sporting activities of the many organised rowers and canoeists, or with citizens seeking relaxation, when motorboating. - Observe speed limitsWhen motorboating, please observe the general speed limit of 5 km/h on flowing waters, canals and mill races. On the White Elster between Pistorissteg and Palmengarten Weir, as well as on the Elster and Pleiße flood channels and on the lakes, the maximum speed is 10 km/h. Information from the Water Police - Alcohol limits - Alcohol limits apply to anyone who independently operates a vessel (boat operator) as well as to persons who determine the course and speed (so-called helmspersons). - The maximum alcohol limit is 0.25 mg/l (0.5 per mille) − regardless of the vessel’s type of propulsion. - **Identification requirement** - Vessels with engine power of up to 2.21 kW (3 hp) are subject to the identification requirement under the Inland Waterways Regulations. - Vessels must have a permanently attached name or motto on both outer sides. The lettering should be 10 cm high and must always contrast with the boat’s hull. - A notice identifying the boat owner (with contact details) must be attached inside the boat. - Vessels with engine power greater than 2.21 kW (3 hp) require an official or officially recognized registration number. - **How to contact the Water Police** - Leipzig/Markkleeberg: Using Locks ----------- Operation of the locks is largely standardized, but not always identical. Please pay attention to the signs at the respective facilities as well as the information on the electronic display boards. **Operating and safety instructions** 1. Press the request switch at the dock. To do this, briefly move the blue lever toward the boat. 2. The locking process is initiated by the control system; if necessary, you must wait for a locking process in the opposite direction. 3. The lock gate opens and, once the signal light switches to green, you may enter the lock chamber. 4. After all boats have entered, they must be secured with lines to the bollards; please note the height difference of approx. 1 m. Lines must be attached loosely and be adjustable; paddlers may hold on. 5. Then press the blue request switch to continue the locking process. Please only press the request switch once you are sure that all boats have entered. Be considerate of the boaters behind you. 6. The lock gate then closes automatically and the water level is equalized. 7. Once the water level has been equalized, the opposite gate opens and the exit signal light switches to green. 8. You may only leave the lock chamber when the exit signal is green. Safety Equipment and Safety Instructions Schleuse MS-Wachau am Störmthaler See - Leipziger Neuseenland 1. The lock is equipped with various safety devices on the lock gates that prevent users from becoming trapped between the lock gate and the lock wall. After one of the safety devices has been triggered, all signal lights flash red and the gate movement is interrupted. To continue the locking process, the request switch in the lock chamber must be operated again. 2. In an emergency, the locking process can be interrupted using the red emergency switch in the lock chamber. All signal lights flash red. The locking process can be reactivated by the system operator. The fault notification is automatically sent to the operator. 3. In the event of a general fault, all signal lights also flash red and the lock is not ready for operation. 4. If the lock is not in operation (see lock operating times), all signal lights are off. **Rules for Using Water Tourism Facilities** - The water tourism facilities (jetties, locks, etc.) in the Leipzig New Lakeland waterway network are intended for general tourism use and to support water sports in both recreational and competitive sports. At the same time, the facilities are designed to help protect and preserve the banks by providing everyone with access to the waterways in the Leipzig New Lakeland waterway network. Information on water tourism facilities --------------------------------------- Please treat the facility with care. All users of the facility are required to comply with the navigation regulations and rules for the use of the waters. Barbecuing, sunbathing, swimming, fishing, handling open fires in the area of the facility, or any other improper use of the water tourism facility is prohibited. Soiling the facility must be avoided. Waste must be disposed of properly. When mooring and casting off, consideration must be given to surrounding traffic. In poor weather and light conditions, usage behaviour must be adapted to the external conditions. No winter maintenance is provided. The facility must not be used if the use of the waters is prohibited due to high or low water levels or for any other reason. Use of the water tourism facility is also prohibited if it is visibly flooded or if its functionality is visibly restricted as a result of natural events. Protection periods for waterways The city of Leipzig is traversed by a floodplain landscape of European significance (Natura 2000). The area is also protected nationally as a landscape conservation area, with parts designated as a nature reserve. Certain sections of water require special protection due to their particularly sensitive flora and fauna. Special usage rules apply here. Please respect nature and do not navigate any marked and closed-off side waters. Only the designated and marked areas may be used for mooring. - Navigability of the Flossgraben (Course 1)The Floßgraben is an ecologically particularly valuable, but also extremely sensitive, watercourse in the southern Leipzig floodplain forest in the city of Leipzig. It is of outstanding importance as a breeding site for the kingfisher, which is strictly protected under the Federal Nature Conservation Act and is a target species of the European bird sanctuary "Leipzig floodplain forest". The kingfisher’s breeding season in the Floßgraben can begin as early as the beginning of March. Especially at the start of the breeding phase, the species is particularly sensitive to disturbances, especially as the bond to the nesting site is not yet very strong and the birds need a lot of time to dig their nesting tunnels. Since 1 March 2015, the general administrative order on special protective measures for the kingfisher has applied to the Floßgraben. Navigating the Floßgraben by kayak or canoe is therefore only permitted daily from 11 am to 1 pm, 3 pm to 6 pm and 8 pm to 10 pm. By contrast, navigating the watercourse with motor-powered watercraft of any kind, entering the 20-metre-wide bank areas on both sides and allowing dogs to run freely along the Floßgraben are prohibited. - Protected periods River Weisse ElsterCanoeists have the opportunity to navigate the unique natural sections of the River Weisse Elster while observing certain rules of conduct and special protection periods. The regulations on seasonal abstention from navigation in the priority nature conservation areas serve to protect nature and the landscape. Compliance is in everyone's interest and an obligation that every nature lover is happy to fulfil. You can obtain permits for the River Weisse Elster here: Saxony-Anhalt State Administration Office, Department of Nature Conservation, Landscape Management Head of Department: Dr Thalmann, Dessauer Str. 70, 06118 Halle/Saale Phone: Email: According to the protected area ordinance, canoe trips there must be registered three working days in advance. - Navigability**Section****Navigation****No navigation during the special protection period**Route 1a Knauthain to Großzschocher WeirNavigation is permittedFebruary 15 to May 15Route 3 Wahren Weir to the confluence with the River LuppeNavigation in organized form e.g. through a club or on canoe tours guided by providersJanuary 1 to July 31Route 3 Döllnitz Weir to RöpzigNavigation with a special permit May June to September**You can obtain special permits from:** Water Touring Officer / Recreational Sports Harald Zeiler Wilhelm-Schrader-Str. 9a, 06120 Halle Phone/mobile: / Email: - Information on voluntary commitmentThe regulations on seasonal voluntary restrictions on navigation in nature priority areas, as well as on refraining from trips during low water, are voluntary commitments to protect nature and the landscape. As part of monitoring carried out alongside the development of water tourism use in the protected areas, the effectiveness of all regulations is reviewed. If the overall conditions change, adjustments can be made. With regard to the existing voluntary commitments, this may range from formal recognition (signing a rulebook by associations, commercial providers and local authorities) through to statutory incorporation in nature conservation or water law regulations. Information on flood warnings and water levels Information on flood warnings and water levels can be obtained online from the State Flood Centre or from the Office for Environmental Protection of the City of Leipzig, the district offices and rental outlets. When rivers and waterways are at flood levels, you should not go boating for your own safety, or you should stop immediately. At the Palmengartenwehr, when water levels are high, a special warning is given by a red ball that is clearly visible from a distance on the building above the central pier. You should also avoid using the waters at low water levels (< 30 cm for human-powered boats and < 60 cm for motorboats), not only for reasons of nature conservation and aquatic ecology, but also for your own safety. ### Flood warning from the City of Leipzig by SMS and email The City of Leipzig offers a new service for flood alerts. With the **flood warning system**, you will be warned quickly and easily of flood hazards by SMS or email. You will receive a warning message according to the flood alert level reached for the at-risk areas of the rivers Weiße Elster, Pleiße, Parthe and the Burgaue (northern Leipzig floodplain forest). To use this service, you must register yourself in the warning system. The citizen hotline can help you with registration and any questions on . The SMS warning service (receipt of warning messages) is free of charge. Users of the service incur costs for SMS messages to subscribe to or unsubscribe from the service, depending on the contract terms of the customer's mobile phone provider. For technical reasons, the SMS warning service cannot fully guarantee delivery of an SMS. In particular, disruptions to the mobile network, the internet or the power supply, such as those that can occur during flooding, may lead to outages. The SMS warning service does not replace local instructions from authorities such as the City of Leipzig, the police or emergency services in a hazardous situation. These instructions must be followed without fail. In principle, any warranty or liability claims arising from the use of the SMS warning service are excluded for the reasons stated. - To register by SMS, you can send an SMS to the phone number 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 Burgaue area due to the opening of the Nahle outlet structure in the Luppe area: **Burgaue** - To register by email, please send an email to with the subject line **Elster, Parthe or Burgaue**. - To unsubscribe from the service, simply send the word “**Stop”** . - - - - Hazard spots on the waterways ----------------------------- - Safety always comes first• Use of the waterways is at your own risk. • For your own safety, please put on a life jacket. • Keep to the right on all waterways and follow the instructions for operating the locks. • Pay particular attention to current conditions near weirs and barrages. • For your own safety, always keep a sufficient distance. - Course 10.8 km Confluence of the Elster Flood Channel Palmengarten Weir - Course 1A0.8 km Confluence with the Elster flood channel Palmengarten Weir 4.7 km Großzschocher Dividing Weir strong current 6.0 km S 46 bridge, current 7.0 km strong current 7.1 km Großzschocher Weir 9.8 km Ritter-Pflugk-Strasse bridge, current 10.4 km Knauthain Distribution Weir 13.0 km Hartmannsdorf drop structure, overflow weir - Course 2 - 0.8 km - Confluence of the Elster Flood Channel - Palmengarten Weir - Course 50.8 km Mouth of the Elster flood channel Palmengartenwehr 6.5 km Railway bridge Shallow areas Current 7.1 km Goethesteig bridge, current - Course 70.8 km Confluence with the Elster flood channel Palmengarten Weir 4.7 km Großzschocher Dividing Weir strong current 8.1 km Confluence with the Elstermühlgraben, Palmengarten Weir Signage system and navigation signs Der Karl-Heine-Kanal im Leipziger Westen - Wasserwandern in Leipzig A standardised guidance and information system for the Tourist Waterway Network of Leipzig New Lakeland is to be implemented gradually over the next few years. It is intended to regulate boat traffic and enable safe use for recreational and competitive sports as well as passenger shipping. The new signs are part of the boat routes most heavily used for water tourism by human-powered boats as well as passenger shipping, and are intended to raise awareness at bridge passages and junctions as well as in the training areas of water sports clubs. They also provide navigation and behaviour tips and assign “lanes”. - Signage system - Using signposts, users can "navigate" from the city harbour to their paddling destination. Along the way, information boards provide further tourist information about the waterway network. Clearly visible from the water, bridges, landing stages, marinas, berths and boathouses are marked, as are portage points and entry and exit points. - The signage system offers both guests and local water tourists good orientation from the water. - Navigation signs - Generally recognized inland navigation signs are used for the signage to ensure clarity and promote safety. - The legal basis for waterway signage is the German Federal Inland Waterways Regulations. - Map pictograms - A standardised presentation of the tourist infrastructure and water tourism information in the official map material, on information signs and on the website makes it easier for water tourists to find their way around. - A collection of symbols has been compiled for the Tourist Waterway Network in the Leipzig New Lakeland, based on the official pictograms of the German Canoe Association (BVKanu) and the PIANC pictograms (International Navigation Association, the water tourism signage system with the greatest recognition and distribution in Europe). Motorboat use ------------- The use of motorised watercraft (motorboats and sailing boats with auxiliary engines) in the Leipzig New Lakeland must be applied for in advance. For , and , permission can be obtained from the respective harbour master's office or harbour operator. For all other lakes and waterways, the use of motorboats must be applied for from the responsible authorities of the City of Leipzig or the district offices. - Information on the debris deflector at Connewitz LockThe floating debris deflector in the upstream section of the Connewitz Lock consists of a floating line made of plastic floats on a 6 mm thick steel cable. To protect them from dirt and damage, these floats are covered with a yellow, rubberised protective fabric hose. The entire structure of the upstream floating debris deflector is flexible. The purpose of the floating debris deflector is to divert debris close to the water surface, such as leaves and small branches, over the weir system. This improves the functionality of the lock and the fish-canoe pass while reducing the amount of cleaning required. To ensure that the floating debris deflector diverts as much debris as possible, it will remain permanently in place in future. The floating debris deflector can now only be opened by the City of Leipzig for maintenance purposes. For future crossings, the floating debris deflector must therefore no longer be unhooked, but simply pressed down so that it is not damaged by the boat hull or propeller. To press down the floating debris deflector chain, all boat operators and motorboats wishing to use the upstream section of the Connewitz Lock should carry a suitable pole with a round fork opening. The opening width of the fork should be at least 20 cm; 25 cm to 30 cm would be better so that the chain can be lowered easily and quickly. The handle at the fork end should be approx. 2.00 m long, although the length depends on the length of the boat. For the above-mentioned reason, the length of the handle must be chosen by the boat operator on their own responsibility. The boat crossing was tested by the boat rental company Krafft. During the boat crossing, the floating debris deflector chain was pressed down by the boat operator so that it could not get caught in the boat’s propeller. According to the boat operator, the crossing worked without any problems. We ask you to carry a suitable device with you, as the floating debris deflector in the upstream section is generally closed. Tourist Waterway Network Contact for further information Special-Purpose Association Kommunales Forum Südraum Leipzig#### Ansprechpartnerin: Frau Dr. Raatzsch (Kopie 1) Rathausplatz 1, 04416 Markkleeberg Green Ring Leipzig Office#### Ansprechpartnerin: Frau König (Kopie 1) Leipziger Straße 6, 04451 Borsdorf City of Leipzig - Office for Urban Green Spaces and Waterways#### Ansprechpartnerin: Frau Zabojnik (Kopie 1) Prager Straße 118-136 (Haus A), 04317 Leipzig Abteilung Wasserwirtschaft/ Flächenmanagement Spokesperson for Green Ring Leipzig#### Ansprechpartner: Bürgermeister Herr Rosenthal (Kopie 1) Martin-Luther-Ring 4-6, 04109 Leipzig c/o Stadt Leipzig, Dezernat Umwelt, Ordnung, Sport Canoe and sailing tourism Contact for further information Saxon Canoe Association#### (Kopie 1) Goyastraße 2d, 04105 Leipzig Sailing Association of Saxony#### (Kopie 1) Moschelstraße 17, 04109 Leipzig Saxony-Anhalt State Canoe Association, registered association#### (Kopie 1) Kleiner Werder 5, 39114 Magdeburg Saxony-Anhalt State Sailing Association, registered association#### (Kopie 1) Thietmarstraße 18, 39128 Magdeburg