This means that a big Rhine ship (max. 11.50 wide, a draught of 2.70 and a length of 110 metres) can use the canal. The depth of the fairway is specified width 5 meter, however the threshold depth at the all locks is specified with 3,75 meter below channel level. Simultaneously with the excavation to a greater depth, the canal was also widened locally. So between Goor and Delden width increases from 40 to 51 meters. Herewith so-called 'natural banks' were also immediately constructed. This offers, for example, water hit deer a possibility to leave the canal. There are also suitable spawning grounds for fish. The sand that was excavated was reused directly by Rijkswaterstaat in the construction of a new section of motorway in Almelo, and boulders founded in the widening surfaced were used again in the construction of the bottom and banks. A study related to the history of the canal speaks of "a success out of a failure": the economic development as a result of the construction of the canal has been a disappointment, but the canal has had a huge impact on water management. Nowadays the canal is used for the transport of sand, gravel, salt and cattle food. In 1996 432,277 ton was loaded and unloaded in Enschede and in 2,322,270 ton in Hengelo. Furthermore, the canal has a recreational function for both sailing and fishing, drainage and the drinking watersupply of Enschede. The drinking water is produced by pumping the water out of the canal at Lonnekerbrug. For the draining purposes of all the streams connected to the canal, the Pumping station in Delden and Eefde are capable of pumping the water out of the canal. The canal is capable of handling 190,000 litres of water per second. On the part of the canal from Hengelo to Enschede much training of professional rowers takes place. As a result of a few serious accidents between Cargo ships and skiffs a learning and exchange project was started to generate mutual respect and understanding between these two groups. For the professional shipping, all locks have been equipped with warning signs to remind them of the recreational shipping, while the rowers were invited to take a look at the bridge of a cargo ship and experience the controls of these ships. There a plans to connect the channel to the Mittelland Canal to shorten the connection from the Port of Rotterdam towards northern Germany.