It was built between 1910 and 1915 and runs largely parallel to the unnavigable River Hase, the greatest distance between the two being about 1 kilometre (0.6 mi).
The 11th Armoured Division crossed the canal during World War II as it advanced across Germany.
After 7.2 km the canal reaches the Hollager locks, where the surface elevation is raised to 55.05 m above NN.
Next the canal enter the port area of Osnabrück in the quarter of Hafen: first the port of Piesberger Hafen, which used to dispatch products from the nearby quarry in the Piesberg, next the oil harbour (Ölhafen) which supplies the city with mineral oils.
[2][3] It is categorized as a class IV waterway and is the responsibility of the Minden Water and Shipping Office.