Gold Coin 2500 CZK Lock on the Elbe River below Střekov 2009 Proof

1/4 Oz gold coin - Cultural monuments of technical heritage - Střekov Lock

On the obverse of the coin is the Kaplan turbine, which is part of the lock's hydroelectric power plant, and above it is a composition of stylized heraldic animals from the great state emblem. In the centre is the Czech lion, on the right is the Moravian eagle and on the left is the Silesian eagle. Below the composition of heraldic animals is the denomination of the coin with the abbreviation of the monetary unit "2500 CZK". The name of the cycle "CULTURAL MONUMENTS OF TECHNICAL HERITAGE" and the name of the state "CZECH REPUBLIC" are on the periphery of the coin. The mark of the Czech Mint is placed at the right edge of the coin next to the Moravian eagle.

The reverse side of the coin shows a general view of the lock on the Elbe River below Střekov. Underneath, the year of mintage '2009' and the description 'ZDYMADLO NA LABI' are on the perimeter of the coin. Above the depiction of the lock, the description "UNDER STŘEKOV" is on the perimeter of the coin. At the left edge of the coin, before the words "UNDER STŘEKOVEM" are the initials of the author of the coin's design, MgA. Josef Oplištil. The initials are formed by the joined letters "OJ". Each coin is accompanied free of charge by a catalogue card in postcard format, made on red cardboard. The coin is depicted in gold with embossed relief, using the so-called dry seal technique. The text is bilingual in Czech and English. The card for both versions of the coin is common.

The Střekov Lock is a lock on the Elbe River in Ústí nad Labem, immediately below Střekov Castle. It was built between 1923 and 1935. Its main purpose was to float the Elbe in the area of the Střekov rapids, which were often impassable. At the time of its construction, it was one of the largest locks in the country and one of the most modern in Europe.

The entire facility is also known as the Střekov Dam or Střekov Dam. It is the penultimate artificial dam on the Elbe, which stands in the way of the Elbe water on its way to the North Sea (the last is the Elbe stage at Geesthacht).

Three vertical Kaplan turbines with a total capacity of 19.5 MW are installed in the hydroelectric power plant, which is part of the lock. This power station is interesting because it is used continuously - not just at peak times, as is usual with most similar hydroelectric power stations. Due to the unfinished coastal roads, the operating rules allow a rise to 141.8 m above sea level, and for the same reason the gradient has been reduced to 7 m and the power to 3×5 MW.

The Střekov reservoir creates a 19.5 km long lake with a total volume of 16 million m3 of water. In addition to ensuring navigability, it reduces the risk of the Elbe spilling over its banks in the Lovosice - Zálezly section and also enables the abstraction of surface water for economic purposes.

An interesting feature of the waterworks is the fish passage. In the dividing pillar between the weir and the power station there is a fish passage of the chamber type. Years of experience have shown that only some species of medium-sized fish migrate into it. It is currently being rebuilt with larger parameters so that large fish such as salmon can also pass through this pass. PHARE is contributing to this investment.

The lock is a protected technical monument.

This product is part of the following product sets: