Waterways
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Waterways in general
Rhône Canalisation: generalities
Rhône developement : Upstream of Lyon
The Canal St-Martin illustrates the two complementary uses of waterways: for leisure and industrial activities ((c) ENPC & VNF)
The first waterways were rivers which could be used for navigation either in their natural state or after modification. However, some waterways are man-made. These canals may or may not follow the course of a river and provide a navigable link between two previously isolated areas of water.
N.B.:
The information and technical documents contained in this section have been generously provided by the French Waterways Authority (Voies navigables de France (...)
With Sault-Brénaz, inaugurated in 1987, the Rhône is now developed along the whole of its length (Photo : CNR)
Conducted under the aegis of the CNR (Compagnie Nationale du Rhône), the development of the Rhône mobilised formidable technical, human and financial rescources in order to realise the triple objective of its initiators; the production of hydroelectricity, agricultural irrigation and the construction of a large-scale canal for navigation. We would especially like to thank the communications service of the CNR for their support in the compilation of this file.
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General view of the Brégnier-Cordon development, inaugurated in 1985 (Photo : CNR)
The Haut-Rhône development was initiated together with the Génissiat project in 1947, then taken up again and completed in the 1980s, with the primary aim of production of hydroelectricity. Nowadays, environmental operations and leisure boating activities are increasingly being added to this objective.
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Rhône Developement : Downstream of Lyon
VNF : Waterways French Agency
Exceptional structures
General view of the Caderousse development, inaugurated in 1976 (Photo : CNR)
It is in the Bas-Rhône, downstream of Lyon, that the Compagnie Nationale du Rhône has been able to carry out its initial triple objective; the production of energy, irrigation and navigation. This was a programme which was achieved through the construction of twelve hydroelectric complexes , but which also included the port of Lyon and the Palier d’Arles locks.
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The freight, one of principal activity of waterways (Photos : VNF & ASCO-TP)
The French Navigable Waterways Authority (VNF) is a public industrial and commercial instutution with responsibility for managing and operating France’s waterways (canals, and navigable rivers).
The implementation of a policy to encourage local development and promote the waterways has resulted in the creation of 17 sub-districts. We shall present the one at Joinville.
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Exceptional structures to discover (Photos : ASCO-TP & Georges Reverdy)
The Canal du Midi, the Bourgogne Canal, the Fonserannes and Rogny lock ladders, the Arzviller inclined plane, the Briare and Guetin canal bridges are all familiar names. However, more important, they are remarkable structures from many points of view.We shall present them in this section to illustrate exceptional structures on canals.
The slideshow which displays the original plans for the Burgundy Canal, allows us to appreciate how the plans made by our forebears were not only technical documents but also (...)
