The height difference along the north ramp of the canal—from the Main at Bamberg to the crest elevation—is , with 11 locks. From the crest elevation down to the Altmühl at Dietfurt is a drop of through three locks. The further difference in elevation of along the Altmühl, with two more locks, makes a total of for the south ramp. This means that the Danube end of the canal is above the level of the Main end.
