Officials have closed off multiple locks along the canal because of the danger of collapse, though the exact number affected has not been disclosed. The sinkholes found in the autumn will receive temporary fixes as the canal company waits for secured funding to address underlying issues with the lock system. Before summer, these holes will be filled and more permanent fences installed to prevent public access to any new sinkholes that may form.
In the long term, the entire lock chamber system requires excavation and renovation to eliminate leaks that cause settlements and sinkholes, according to Hans-Lennart Ohlsson, CEO of Strömsholms kanal AB. No funding has been secured for these larger renovations, creating challenges for the canal's future. During the 2025 season, the canal sold five passes for round-trip lockage, eight for one-direction lockage, and 30 for single lockages, indicating a limited number of boats each season.
Now when there are acute sinkholes, we fill them in, but in the long term, the entire lock chamber system's sides must be excavated and renovated so you get rid of these leaks that cause settlements and sinkholes.
The Canal Company aims to keep lockage operational this year through convoy traffic and preserve the listed building status of the Strömsholms canal. Additional maintenance includes spending money on clearing the fairway from trees, though the allocated amounts for this and the temporary repairs have not been specified. According to SVT Västmanland, Hans-Lennart Ohlsson described the need for long-term renovations to remove leaks causing sinkholes, but specific measures for convoy traffic and the exact timeline for repairs remain unclear.