The Urkersluis lock was commissioned after the reclamation of the Noordoostpolder der and the completion of the Urkervaart canal in 1942. This lock bridges a difference in water level between the Urkervaart in the polder and the IJsselmeer of 5.75 metres. The Urkersluis is located at Gemaal Vissering and is a national monument.
The Urkersluis is the largest of the three locks that give ship traffic access to the Noordoostpolder. Indeed, at 50 metres long, the Urkersluis is 5 metres longer than the Fries Sluis at Rutten and the Voorstersluis at Kraggenburg.
