The Elisabeth Lock in Kessler was opened on July 29, 1828. The 4.5 m wide and 26 m long lock is well preserved. It is built of carefully worked quarry stone and originally yellow clinker brickwork. Repairs have since been carried out using red canal clinker and plaster. The wooden stem gates were removed when they fell into disrepair, and flood control is provided by the dam gates (emergency gates) if necessary. No gates are required for the recreational shipping that still exists today. The lock chamber still sufficiently documents the importance of the locks for the navigation of the Lippe.
The weir is a movable weir. It was built in 1891 to replace the original weir. The massive weir body has 3 openings, each 6 m wide. During the last war, one of the pillars and a land abutment at the Kessler dam were severely damaged by blasting. The weir body was restored to its original form in 1953/54. At the same time, the gate guides, protective panels and elevator devices as well as the weir bridge serving public traffic (municipal road) were renewed. A footpath next to the bridge is used to operate the weir. Although the weir was renewed in 1891 and the above-mentioned restoration work took place in 1953/54, the above-mentioned connection with the lock adds a technical-historical value to the historical one.
A nice place to take a break on a leisurely cycle tour through Lippetal.