This week the province, Natuurmonumenten and the water board signed an agreement to make this possible. “A particularly beautiful milestone, at a time when the challenges for climate and nature are great,” responds Henk Jumelet province on behalf of Drenthe. It is expected that the entire emergency water storage facility will have to be used once every 25 years. Although experts warn that due to the changing climate scenarios, this may be an overly optimistic estimate and that it should be used more often.
The water is therefore stored longer in the area, so that Meppel is less likely to be flooded. But the collection of water also has an advantage during the drought. It must counteract the desiccation of the Holtingerveld. In the Holtingerveld, a Natura 2000 area, many fens are currently dried up as a result of low groundwater levels in the area.
In addition to collecting water, the intention is also to restore nature in the nature reserves. Parts of the Uffelter Boervaart are also being restored to their former glory. This canal was built in 1787 to transport the peat from the Uffelterveen and the Kolonieveen by boat to Meppel. However, since 1854 it is no longer in use as a peat barge. After falling into disrepair, it was filled in years ago.
It is also the intention that ‘special nature’ will develop in the areas. These range from flowery grasslands with butterflies and bees to new pools for the great crested newt. And a fish passage is being constructed in Koningsschut to give more space to fish.