The locks of Chautagne and Belley open for pleasure boating

After 2 years of works it is now possible to cross the hydropower schemes of Chautagne and Belley (01) via two locks that have just been opened, located respectively on the left bank of the hydropower plants of Anglefort (the Chautagne scheme) and Brens-Virignin (the Belley scheme) on the concession operated by the Compagnie Nationale du Rhône.

These new locks permit crossing heads of almost 18 m and open up an additional 57 km of navigable waterway along a section stretching from Seyssel (74) to Brégnier-Cordon (01) up and downstream of Savières Canal, which provides access to Lake Bourget.

The “Freyssinet” gauge locks (40 m long by 5.25 m wide) allow the passage of pleasure boats in perfect safety thanks to a semi-automatic operating system controlled by the skippers of the boats themselves (or by excursion guides during the summer).

Picture: Chautagne lock – Works by CNR © C. Moirenc / CNR media

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