Magdeburg Water Bridge, the splendor of the river in the Upper River

Magdeburg Water Bridge is water navigation channel in Germany which connects the Elbe-Havel canal to the Mittelland canal and allow the ship to cross over the River Elbe as high as 918 meters. Magdeburg Water Bridge is the longest navigation waterways in the world.

Elbe-Havel Canal and the Mittelland canal near Magdeburg previously met but on the opposite side of the Elbe. Ships from the Elbe-Havel canal to the Mittelland canal must first take a detour along the 12 kilometers, down from Canal Mittelland through Rothensee giant water elevator to lift the boat into the Elbe, then sail against the current.

Before entering the Elbe-Havel canal had to go through Niegripp Lock. Receding water levels in the Elbe often make the ship loaded cargo crossings can not do this, and this takes much longer to load and unload ships.

Development of water channel was started since 1930 but because of World War 2 and the subsequent division of Germany, the work was delayed until 1997. Water channel was finally completed and opened to the public in 2003.