Amsterdam rhine canal was enlarged in the 1970s and reopened in 1981. It is the most heavily used canal in western Europe and can handle up to four 3,000-ton lighters (unpowered barges) tied together and push-towed by a tug. The canal minimum depth is 5.5 metres (18 feet). as its mentioned in Amsterdam rhine canal map. Amsterdam rhine canal is the most well travelled canal in the world and plays an important role in water maintenance in West Netherlands, since the water must be transported via the canal and through a pumping station complex near Ijmuiden –the largest of Europe- out to the North Sea.