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The Telemark Canal 150 years in 2011
Vrangfoss locks in the Telemark Canal
The canal stretch from Norsjø to Skien was oficially opened on May 1st 1861. This will be celebrated all through 2011
It is the leg from Notodden to Skien that celebrates its 150th anniversary. The Bandak canal, that goes all the way up to Dalen, was completed in 1892. Today the whole stretch from Skien to Dalen is called The Telemark Canal.
The waterway in Telemark has been the main source of transportation up through the ages. The roads were in poor condition, therefore transportation over the lakes was the fastest way to transport goods and people. Many of the narrow stretches and the waterfalls were very difficult to pass and the goods has to be reloaded on to horses and carriages.
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The canalization of transporting goods and floating timber from upper Telemark down to the sawmills in Skien and Ulefoss made it much easier, not least that now upper Telemark was linked to the open sea
People in Telemark was also very reliant of the canal, as the roads and busses and cars were few. In the peak year if 1913.- 14 135.762 persons were transported through the locks in Løveid.
Today the canal is important for recreation and as a major tourist attraction for Telemark. The passenger boats Victoria, Henrik Ibsen and Telemarken travel between Skien, Akkerhaugen and Dalen in the summer season. The number of private boats are rising and many choose to enjoy the canal by canoe or cycle along the canal banks.