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Skating on the canals

Waternet loves ice. When it has been freezing in Amsterdam for an extended period of time, we will make sure certain canals can freeze over. While other canals will remain open for shipping.

The ‘IJsnota’ (see below) states everything we do in regard to natural ice. We have consulted, among others, professional shippers, ice skating clubs and the ‘Koninklijke Nederlandse Schaatsers Bond’ (Royal Dutch Skating Association,KNSB). 

When are boats banned on canals?

We want to make sure that we ban shipping on canals before it’s too late. Otherwise boats will break the ice. Therefore, we immediately close off some of the canals once the first layer of ice has formed after the first night frosts.

If the temperature remains below freezing point we will close off more canals. The banning of shipping on canals has 2 phases.

  • Phase 1: A shipping ban on a limited number of canals once the first layer of ice has formed after the first night frosts.
  • Phase 2: A shipping ban will be enforced for more canals (see the map below). Phase 2 will start when at least 5 days of moderate to severe frost have been forecasted. And temperatures that will not rise above freezing during the day.

Phase 1: Shipping ban takes effect when the first layer of ice has formed

  • Brouwersgracht from the Lijnbaansgracht though the Keizersgracht
  • Prinsengracht from the Brouwersgracht to the Leidsegracht
  • Keizersgracht from the Brouwersgracht to theLeidsegracht
  • Leliegracht from the Prinsengracht through the Keizersgracht
  • Lijnbaansgracht from the Brouwersgracht though the Passeerdersgracht
  • Passeerdersgracht from the Lijnbaansgracht through the Prinsengracht
  • Looiergracht from the Lijnbaansgracht through the Prinsengracht
  • Lauriergracht from the Lijnbaansgracht through the Prinsengracht
  • Bloemgracht from the Lijnbaansgracht through the Prinsengracht
  • Egelantiersgracht from the Lijnbaansgracht through the Prinsengracht
  • Korte Prinsengracht
  • Westlandgracht
  • Postjeswetering
  • Admiralengracht
  • Erasmusgracht
  • Burg. Tienhovengracht 

Phase 2: Canals with a shipping ban when freezing temperatures continue for a longer period of time

Phase 2 involves the following canals:

  • Keizersgracht over the entire length
  • Singelgracht between 2e Hugo de Grootstraat and Kattensloot
  • Lijnbaansgracht between Reguliersgracht and Kleine Gartmanplantsoen and between Raamplein and Brouwersgracht
  • Boerenwetering between Amstelkanaal and Singelgracht
  • Noorderamstelkanaal between Hobbemakade and Amstelveenseweg
  • Waalseilandgracht between Oude Schans and Prins Hendrikkade
  • Reguliersgracht
  • Entrepotdok
  • Plantage Muidergracht (including the water of the Hortus Plantsoen)
  • Nieuwe Keizersgracht
  • Nieuwe Prinsengracht
  • Onbekendegracht
  • Nieuwe Achtergracht
  • Spiegelgracht
  • Kattenburgervaart
  • Oosterburgervaart
  • Groenburgwal
  • Kloveniersburgwal
  • Raamgracht
  • Geldersekade
  • Kromboomsloot
  • Rechtboomsloot
  • Oudezijds Achterburgwal
  • Jacob van Lennepkanaal between Pieter Langendijkstraat and Singelgracht
  • Bilderdijkgracht between De Clercqstraat and Jacob van Lennepkade
  • Hugo de Grootgracht
  • Da Costagracht
  • De Rijpgracht
  • Leidsegracht between Singelgracht and Herengracht

 

Berrybot Berry, the digital assistent