The situation with the high water on the Marker and IJsselmeer is currently stable, a spokesperson for the Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier (HHNK) told NH. However, a peak of 45 centimeters above Normal Amsterdam Level (NAP) is expected tomorrow on the Markermeer.
The situation has been dire around the Markermeer for days. Even today the water is still very high. The water at the Edam measuring point is currently 38 centimeters above NAP. Yet there is no reason to panic today, according to Water Board spokesperson Jorrit Voet. “We don’t expect anything crazy today. The nuisance and high water levels will not change, but will not increase either. No additional measures are needed for the time being.”
The water level on the IJsselmeer is now dropping, because discharge can take place in the Wadden Sea. But the level on the IJsselmeer is still higher than that on the Markermeer, which means that the Markermeer cannot drain.
45 centimeters above sea level
Tomorrow morning between 6 a.m. and 12 noon, the highest water level so far is expected on the Markermeer of 45 centimeters above NAP, says spokesperson Voet. “If the wind is blowing hard, it can be higher locally. That is not a problem for the dikes. Perhaps it is for the areas outside the dikes in Volendam, Monnickendam and Hoorn. They could be flooded.”
It remains to be seen what the water will do after the weekend. “The IJsselmeer is now falling, but tomorrow a high water peak is expected from the IJssel. Then we have to wait and see whether the water level on the IJsselmeer will rise again. The result is that the Marker cannot be drained.”
Ice fun and high water are not a good combination
The temperature will drop significantly tomorrow, where we will probably see natural ice on Sunday and after the weekend. That is of course a lot of fun, but the water board warns against the combination of ice fun and high water.
To pump away the excess water, the pumping stations run very hard. Skating on waters where drainage is used can be dangerous. The water flows fast under the ice: there is a considerable current. Air can also get between the water and the ice layer due to falling water levels, which can cause the ice to break more quickly.
No more dike guards in Marken
In the night from Thursday to Friday Rijkswaterstaat deployed dike guards on Marken. That evening there were concerns about the stability of the dike. The dike is now in good condition again, a spokesperson said. There are also no more dike guards on Marken.