Due to the low water level in the major rivers, the areas along the rivers also suffer from much too low groundwater levels. Together with the heat and drought, this has consequences for the strength of the dikes. Many water boards have instituted dike inspections. Cracks are seen in many places, especially in dikes that also contain peat, which are immediately repaired. According to the LCW, no serious damage has yet occurred. In the north of Gelderland, the water board is consulting with municipalities about the use of dikes along dry waterways.
Natural areas are severely damaged by the very low groundwater level and drought. The peat in De Peel in Brabant has already suffered irreversible damage. In other peat areas, wet forest areas and wet arid lands, the water is below a critical limit. Some water boards nevertheless allow groundwater to flow into streams as an emergency measure to prevent species from disappearing for good. Preventing irreparable damage to vulnerable nature is at the top of the list of measures that must be taken when it is extremely dry.
The water level of the IJsselmeer has dropped slightly in the past week. However, water boards can still obtain sufficient freshwater from the lake. Rijkswaterstaat does, however, keep a close eye on the salinization of navigation channels in the vicinity of the Afsluitdijk. The salinity rises there. More measures may be needed, says the LCW. The chloride content of the water at the intake point at Andijk in North Holland is not too bad, so that the drinking water supply there is not yet endangered. Water companies across the country are seeing an increase in the use of drinking water now that the holidays are over, but with some measures there is still sufficient drinking water available everywhere.