At the locks, a powerboat and sailboat arrive to be lowered to the next level.

The water level begins to drop, slowly.

More and more water is released,...

the level dropping more rapidly now.

That’s enough water released...

and now the gates open, about 10 minutes after the process began.

From up above the river, we could see behind the bridge to the reinforcements built on the natural rock (right of picture below).

Upstream from the locks is the bridge with several gates to control the level of water downstream and to the power turbines. The carved figurehead you see (left) is the water sprite who has inspired many legends in the area. He doesn’t look very “spritely” to us, but is usually described (by those who have seen him) as bearded, wearing a red knit cap, which matches this rendition.

This gorge below was once part of the natural river bed, but now is used to divert excess water when the flow is too strong.

Below is a series of smaller locks, no longer in use, having been replaced by the large one, shown in the pictured bove.