Water from Markermeer to Veluwemeer again ANP
The Zuiderzeeland Water Board will once again be pumping water from the Markermeer to the Veluwemeer this weekend. This is happening at the request of Rijkswaterstaat, because the water level in the Veluwemeer is falling too far due to the drought and water shortage. Zuiderzeeland has already carried out the operation twice this year, in July and in May.
Extra water in the Veluwemeer is needed to prevent dikes and quays along the lake from drying out. In the worst case, dikes could collapse due to dehydration. In addition, the Veluwemeer is one of the busiest tourist areas in the Netherlands. If the water level in the lake drops too far, pleasure boats can no longer sail. Blue-green algae also grows rapidly in low-standing water that heats up quickly. Swimming is not allowed in water with blue-green algae.
Zuiderzeeland obtains water from the Markermeer via a pumping station in Almere. Via ditches and canals in Flevoland, that water is brought to a pumping station near Biddinghuizen, where it enters the Veluwemeer. The transport has no consequences for the water supply in Flevoland itself, according to the shelf. The water level can go up and down. Owners of (house)boats in the Hoge Vaart and on the Noorderplassen must keep an eye on their lines.