News item | 17-08-2022 | 20:18
It is dry in the Netherlands. The occasional and local showers offer limited relief for a number of days. The drought and its effects are expected to increase further from next week.
The differences in the Netherlands are large. In the east, south and Zeeland, the effects are most acute for shipping, agriculture and nature. In certain places, restrictions are also imposed on groundwater use. The measures that have now been taken are numerous, such as locking on the basis of supply and demand at the Eefde lock and allowing fresh water to pass through the Hagestein weir against salinization in the Lek and Hollandsche IJssel.
The Water Shortage Management Team (MTW) has decided to have two measures in place if salinisation in the west and drought in the east increases further.
Measures Amsterdam-Rhine Canal
To counter the increasing salinization of the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal, two measures are being prepared. The first is activating the bubble screen. This is a tube at the bottom of the North Sea Canal near the Zeeburg pumping station. The air bubbles from the bubble screen raise the salt water. This then ends up in the freshwater flow from the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal towards the North Sea. In this way the salt water is stopped and it flows back to the North Sea Canal.
The second measure is the deployment of the power plant near Diemen for the transit of water from the Markermeer to the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal. Transit through the power plant can help to combat salinization.
Measure Boven-IJssel
Rijkswaterstaat will possibly set up one-way traffic on the Boven-IJssel for all shipping from a minimum sounded depth (MGD) of 1.45 meters. This may be necessary because of the falling water levels on the IJssel. As a result, the fairway is becoming narrower and it is no longer possible to sail safely in two directions.
After the entry into force of this measure, shipping from Germany to Kampen and the Twente canals will have to circumnavigate the Waal, the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal and the IJsselmeer. Recreational boaters can choose to use the Randmeren. Because of the water levels, the Waal is the optimal route. Rijkswaterstaat recommends this route so that the water level in the weirs in the Lower Rhine can be maintained.
Response Michèle Blom, chairman MTW
We are doing everything possible to limit the effects of the drought as much as possible. We are happy with all the thinking and doing power of all our partners and stakeholders. The regional differences in the effects of the drought in the country are large. It remains important to realize that the measures will differ per region.
About the Water Shortage Management Team (MTW)
The Water Shortage Management Team (MTW) becomes active if there is an actual national water shortage (scaling up level 2). The MTW consists of Rijkswaterstaat, water boards, drinking water companies, provinces and the ministries involved (LNV, EZK and IenW). They are preparing any national and supraregional measures to keep the water distribution as optimal as possible.