Tartak Lock

Tartak Lock, the thirteenth lock on the Augustów Canal, was built between 1837 and 1838 on the initiative of engineer Jakub Szeffer. It was not part of the original canal design by Ignacy Prądzyński, and its construction became necessary due to the phenomenon of water back-up during high water levels, which threatened the hydrotechnical structures. Located at the 74.4 kilometer mark of the canal, the lock has a drop of 1.72 m, and is 45.35 m long and 6.08 m wide. The lock gates are made of wood, which is characteristic of the hydrotechnical constructions of that period. Tartak Lock is not only an important element of water infrastructure, but also a witness to the development of hydrotechnical technology in the 19th century and changes in regional transport and trade. A significant aspect of its importance is its role in shaping the culture and traditions of local communities, which for centuries used the waterway to transport goods. An interesting fact is that the Augustów municipality, where the canal is located, is considered the cradle of water transport in Poland, and the Augustów Canal itself played a key role in the development of the region's economy by connecting rivers and lakes into a network of communication routes.