THE NOTEĆ RIVER

The Noteć is the largest creek of the Warta as it is 361 km long. It is divided into two main sections: the Upper Noteć – from its source to Nakło nad Notecią (174 km) – and the Lower Noteć which is a part of IWW E70 and flows all the way from Nakło to its estuary to the Warta (178 km). The Lower Noteć, in its current shape, was canalised between 1906-1914.

The course of the IWW E70 part of the Noteć can be divided into several sections due to its varying slopes:

• A sharp gradient (0.29‰), around 15 km long; from Nakło nad Notecią (39 km) to Gromadno (54 km).
• The Lazy Noteć – around 50 km long and with a gradient of 0.016‰; from the mouth of Łobzonka (57 km) to the mouth of Gwda (106 km).
• The Swift Noteć (the Lower Noteć or the Canalised Noteć) – around 70 km long and with a gradient of 0.2‰; stretching from the mouth of the Gwda in Ujście (106.1 km) to Krzyż (175 km). Its name comes from the fact that after the Noteć connects to its largest creek – the Gwda, its discharge increases 2.5 times.
• The Free-Flowing Noteć – around 50 km long; stretching from the lock in Krzyż (175 km) to the mouth of the Warta (226 km). The Lower Free-Flowing Noteć is regulated with transverse and longitudinal, fascine structures, reinforced with stone rubble.

NAVIGATION INFORMATION

Water velocity in normal conditions at weirs equals: between Nakło and Krostkowo – 0.4 m/s, between Krostkowo and the mouth of the Gwda – 0.35 m/s, between the Gwda and Krzyż – 0.6 m/s.

Depth and width. The transit depth along the canalised section of the Lower Noteć (38.9 – 176.2 km) ranges from 1.2 m to 1.6 m. In the case of the free-flowing section (176.2 – 226.1), it equals 1.2 m at average low water level and 2 m at average water level. The width of the navigable waterway ranges between 25 m and 30 m for the former section and 30-35 m for the latter.

Locks. There are 14 locks located along the Lower Noteć and all of them are monuments to hydraulic engineering, dating back to 1906-1914. Crossing them is a bit of a time-consuming entertainment (devote about 25 minutes for each lock). There are three locks on the Lazy Noteć: no. 9 – Nakło Zachód (42 km), no. 10 – Gromadno (53 km), no. 11 – Krostkowo (68 km). There are also eleven locks along the Swift Noteć; you can find a lock every 6 km, starting from lock no. 12 in Nowe (111 km) all the way to lock no. 22 in Krzyż (176 km).

Power lines, bridges, ferries. There are high-voltage power lines over the section from Nakło nad Notecią to Drezdenko, the lowest ones 5-6 metres above the ground. The lowest bridge between Wieleń and Drawskie (170 km) provides the clearance of 3.4 m; other bridges ensure the clearance of 4+ metres.

Marking. Section marked with kilometre signs along its entire length. There are also navigation traffic signs, commonly found along inland waterways.

Mooring. There are eight harbour towns down the 187 km of the Lower Noteć with convenient tanks and quays. You can also rest in one of the modern marinas in Czarnków, Drawsko, or Nakło nad Notecią.