APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110013-9
| Location and Length | Physical Characteristics | Operations | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Czechoslovakia/East Germany border-Melnik, 71.5 route miles via Elbe. | Partially regulated stream; channel width, 165-200 ft., safe draft, 5.9 ft.; current velocity slight to moderate; 7 bridges; 6 locks with controlling dimensions of: 469-ft. length, 72-ft. width, 8.2-ft. depth over sill. High water 1 Mar-1 Apr. Low water mid-Aug-mid-Sept; total water level differential, 17 ft. | Navigation season early Apr-mid-Dec. Ice mid-Dec-late-Mar. Up to 50 days interruption. Icebreakers/tugs attempt to keep channel open. Spring flooding and summer low water can create delays but rarely halt traffic. Morning and evening fog in spring and fall may curtail operating day. Normal operating day 24 hours with 2-way channel operations. Most common carriers: 800-ton self-propelled barge and pusher trains of 1,200 h.p. towboat and two 800-ton barges. Largest craft that can be accommodated, 1,000-ton self-propelled barge. Traffic medium to heavy. Principal cargos coal, ore, small manufactures. | Strategic E-W artery for movement to East/West German border. Carries heavy bulk supplies to Czech industry and Czech manufacturers for export. Principal ports: Decin, Usti-nad-Labem, Melnik. Small amounts of containerized cargo currently being handled at temporary container terminal at Decin. |
| Melnik-Kolin; 53.5 route miles via Elbe. | Partially regulated stream; channel width, 165-200 ft.; safe draft, 5.9 ft.; current velocity slight to moderate; 9 bridges; 15 locks with controlling dimensions of: 240-ft. length, 39.5-ft. width, 8.2-ft. depth over sill. High water, 1 Mar-1 Apr; low water mid-Aug and mid-Sept; total water level differential, 17 ft. | Navigation seasons, early Apr-mid-Dec. Ice mid-Dec-late-Mar with up to 50 days interruption. Spring flooding, summer low water can create delays but rarely halt traffic. Morning and evening fog in spring and fall may curtail operating day. Normal operating day 24 hours with 2-way channel operations. Most common carriers: 600-ton self-propelled barge, pusher trains of 1,200 h.p. towboat with two 800-ton barges. Largest craft that can be accommodated, 1,000-ton self-propelled barge. Traffic medium to heavy. Principal cargos coal, ore. | Strategic E-W artery for movement to East/West Germany border. Carries bulk supplies to Czech industry. Principal port is Kolin. |
| Melnik-Prague; 29.5 route miles via Laternalni Kanal and Vltava river. | Partially regulated steam; channel width, 165-200 ft.; safe draft, 5.9 ft.; current velocity slight to moderate; 2 bridges; 14 locks with controlling dimensions of: 440-ft. length, 36-ft. width, 8.2-ft. depth over sill; high water 1 Mar-1 Apr; low water mid-Aug-mid-Sept; total water level differential, 17 ft. | Navigation season early Apr-mid-Dec. Ice mid-Dec-late Mar with up to 50 days interruption. Spring flooding and summer low water can create delays but rarely halt traffic. Morning and evening fog in spring and fall may curtail operating day. Normal operating day 24 hours with 2-way channel operations. Most common carriers: 600-ton self-propelled barge, pusher trains of 1,200-h.p. towboat with two 800-ton barges. Largest craft that can be accommodated, 1,000-ton self-propelled barge. Traffic medium to heavy. Principal cargo coal, ore, manufactures. | Route strategically important; 1st link in route Prague-East/West Germany border. Carries heavy, bulk supplies to Czech industry and Czech manufacturers for export. Principal port, Prague. |
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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110013-9
