The Oranjesluis in Amsterdam are completely open again. The locks closed on Thursday due to the extremely high water in the IJmeer and the Markermeer. As of yesterday, the lock has been opened to allow the water to flow via the North Sea Canal past IJmuiden and into the North Sea.
During drainage, the excess water is discharged into outside water (the sea). Rijkswaterstaat spokesperson Bart Jacobs explains that you can discharge to the IJsselmeer when the water in the Wadden Sea is lower.
“Discharges can be made at low tide,” he says. And that was the case as of yesterday. It is not yet clear how long the lock will remain open. According to Jacobs, this is due to the water level of the North Sea Canal.
Ships still stuck
The Oranjes locks closed on Thursday due to the high water in the IJmeer and the Markermeer. This means that ships cannot enter and exit through the locks. Sailor Klaas Bethlehem is also waiting until they can sail further. He has to take his ship to Amsterdam, but his boat has been stationary since Thursday. “The water level on the Markermeer is too high, so we cannot pass through.” Klaas hopes that the ship he works on will be allowed to resume operations on Wednesday.
Sinking water
It looks like the peak has passed. The water level reached its highest level on the Markermeer yesterday. This caused a lot of inconvenience in all the villages and towns around the Markermeer.
In Durgerdam they are also awaiting the effects of the drainage. Things were over in their village. The residents had to moor their boats higher up against the dike. According to resident Hennie Koopman, residents of Durgerdam were very ‘put into perspective’ about the problematic dikes. “These types of weather conditions force you to face the facts.” Hennie is referring to the high water.
Rik Zwanenveld, harbor master of the local sailing club in Durgerdam, says that it has been very exciting in Durgerdam in recent days. “Fortunately, it is now stabilizing. There is now drainage, but that does not mean that the water is dropping,” says Rik. “It is important to us that the water does not rise further. We have 30 centimeters of space, which should be sufficient. For the time being, there is no need for the man and we are relieved.”
The peak yesterday was 47 centimeters above NAP, now the counter is about 44 and according to the Rik in Durgerdam another 30 centimeters could be added. According to the chairman, the high water situation is ‘unique’. “It’s the first time I’ve experienced this,” he concludes.