APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110013-9
| Location and Length | Physical Characteristics | Operations | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Czechoslovakia/Hungary border-Czechoslovakia/Austrian border; 106.5 route miles via Danube. | Partially regulated stream; channel width, 205 ft.; safe draft, 8.2 ft.; current velocity slight to moderate; 3 bridges; high water 1 May-1 June; low water mid-July-mid-Aug; total water level differential, 15 ft. No locks. | Navigation season 1 Feb-early Jan. Ice mid-Dec-mid-Feb can interrupt traffic for 35 days. Icebreakers/tugs attempt to keep channels open. Low water July, Aug may require light loading and can create delays; morning and evening fog in spring and fall may curtail operating day. Normal operating day, 24 hours; 2-way channel operations, separate upstream and downstream channels around large islands. Common carriers: 800-ton-1,500-ton self-propelled barges and pusher trains of 2,000-h.p. towboat with two 1,500-ton barges. River-seagoing vessels up to 2,500 d.w.t. can be accommodated. Principal cargos: coal, ore, petroleum, petroleum products, manufactures. | Strategically important for E-W movement of Warsaw Pact forces. Supplies bulk materials and semi-finished products to Czech industries and carries heavy manufactures to lower Danube river-maritime ports for export. Principal ports: Komarno, Bratislava. |
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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110013-9
