Dragets Kanal

Entrance of the Draget canal, August 2016.

Dragets canal is a canal that allows going from Nynäshamn to Södertälje without the need to pass Landsort in the open sea.

In the XIIIth century, the water level was three meters higher and the canal was a major route along the coast of Sweden, as attested in the pilot notes of Valdemar II the conqueror on his way to the Estonian crusades.

The canal got almost dry in the XIXth century and decision was made to drege it. Today, the canal is indicated having a depth of 1.5 metre, but boats up to 2 metre draught are reported having gone through it.

The canal is barely 7 metre wide in its narrowest section and therefore, reversing is not an option, neither passing a boat in the opposite direction. It is a good idea to horn as you get in and before getting out. The canal is 200 metre long in its narrow portion, and not fully straight, which requires steering cautiously with a big boat. Watch for branches over your head!