Baťa Canal (in Czech Baťův kanál or Průplav Otrokovice-Rohatec) is a navigable canal on Morava river in the Czech Republic. The water canal was built during 1934-38 and today it serves mainly for recreational cruises.
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History
Reasons for building the canal were two: attempt to increase level of groundwater after Morava River was regulated and as an initial phase of long planned but never realized Danube-Oder-Canal. The immediate reason for the construction was need to transfer lignite from mine in Ratíškovice to the Otrokovice power plant. Both were owned by Bata Shoes (Baťovy závody) and the company was the main investor (the rest was paid by the state). Construction started on October 16 1934 and was finished during autumn 1938. The canal was named after Tomáš Baťa, founder of the company.
Technical details
The route is 51.8 km long, of which 27 km fall to the Morava river, 1 km to the Dřevnice river and 24 km is artificial canal. Difference in water levels is 18.6 m. Totally 33 bridges spanned over the canal. The canal had 14 canal locks. Some parts of technical infrastructure were quite unique at the time of construction.
Canal today
During World War II the canal was severely damaged and only partially repaired (repairs lasted until 1949). Its use for transportation declined and in 1972 it was officially abandoned. In 1995 the route was reopened for sightseeing tours. After repairs 13 canal locks are accessible now. The canal became the most popular tourist destination of the region. It is also used for transportation of industrial goods and plans exist to extend it downstream to the border of Slovakia. [1]
