butours

Butours, also known as boat lift or boat lift installations, are a system of locks and canals that allow boats to change their elevation by rising and descending a series of steps. The system is designed to move watercraft between different bodies of water at different elevations, often facilitating navigation and transportation on rivers with significant changes in elevation.

The basic principle of a buteur is a pair of locks, a vertical lift installation that lifts the water level to match the boat's draft. As the water level rises or falls, the boat is propelled up or down the lift through the water due to gravity and the Difference in elevation. The system is often used in canal systems with large vertical drops, such as the well-known White, Louisville, or Panama channels.

There are different types of body lift systems, including spiral, circular, and vertical lift. Each has its own benefits and limitations. Spiral lifts consist of a curved channel with a continuous up-and-down flow of water. Circular lifts are a series of concentric rings, while vertical lifts are traditional locks with vertical lifts.

The application of lift boasters dates back to the 18th century in Europe and has since been adopted by many countries around the world. Two well-known examples are the lock lift on the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal in Germany and Austria and the Tokyo Canal system in Japan. The devices are useful for promoting floodplains and их maintenance and providing an efficient means of transporting goods.

The environmental impact of lift systems is a matter of debate, with concerns about water flow and usage patterns. However, properly maintained, butours form a compelling solution to the challenges of river and canals with significant elevation changes.