Havel - Navigation - Plaue To Havelburg

Plaue To Havelburg

Like the preceding stretch of the river, the stretch from Plaue to the confluence with the River Elbe at Havelburg is administered as part of the Untere Havel–Wasserstraße. Unlike the previous stretch, this stretch carries considerably less commercial traffic. Vessels heading to or from the River Rhine and the west of Germany take the Elbe–Havel Canal at Plaue. Whilst the lower reaches of the River Havel provide the most direct route to Hamburg and the North Sea ports, variable water levels in the River Elbe affect those in the lower River Havel, and together these can restrict navigation. A less direct, but more reliable route is available via the Elbe–Havel Canal, the Magdeburg Water Bridge, the Mittelland Canal and the Elbe Lateral Canal.

This stretch of the river descends through locks at Bahnitz, Rathenow, Grütz, Garz and Havelberg. At Rathenow there are two channels, each with a lock. North of Plaue, the river is crossed by the Pritzerbe Ferry.