Something similar to this idea exists in Russia. But for larger river ships only, so smaller scale.

There is a large dam, with generating station, downstream the valley is narrow, walls are steep. Differential to top of dam is large/high. Water locks impractical.

So they've built something like a dock for the ships to enter, dock closes with ship inside, and is moved on cog rails up/downhill for a few miles, including a turntable!

By electromotors, powered by > 100.000V three-phase delivered via catenary from the sides!

At the time this made the rounds trough the net (possibly +20 years) it all looked rather insane/gigantic/impressive.

Wasted 5 minutes trying to find it, seems to be gone. shrug