It’s wet, and it will stay wet for a while. This still leads to high water levels, but the water boards are not panicking. The water level in Drenthe remains manageable, although hard work is required.
The Drents Overijsselse Delta Water Board (WDOD) was able to drain more water last week. This means there is ‘space in the system’ again. “We may have a few showers again,” says board member Hans Pereboom.
Over the past two weeks, the Zenemuden pumping station near Zwartsluis has been used more than normal. This meant that water below Meppel was pumped away to the IJsselmeer, so that water from above Meppel can pass easily. This will remain the case for a while, because the water in the IJsselmeer is sometimes too high due to heavy showers and shifting winds. That can push up the water.
The water board does see a lot of waste on the dikes that came with the high water. “From tree trunks to forgotten sports shoes, we come across everything.” Large waste, such as tree trunks, can damage the dikes and is removed immediately. The reeds that end up on the dike with the water will be cleared away this spring.
The Hunze en Aa’s water board also sees more water, but expects to be able to keep the situation under control. “We expect a lot of precipitation, so the water levels will rise. We also expect higher water levels in Drenthe, especially tomorrow,” says spokesperson Ida van Emmerik.
The water levels had dropped recently, partly because the water board was able to drain a lot of water. Extra capacity has been deployed, especially in Groningen, including the Rozema pumping station in Termunterzijl and the diesel pump of the Duurswold pumping station.
“The water level in the canals will rise, but there is still some room for this. In Drenthe, a higher water level will be visible, especially tomorrow, but without us getting wet feet anywhere.” Due to the weather, the water board will be less able to drain into the Wadden Sea tomorrow, but after tomorrow this can be better again. This will cause the water levels to drop again. The water board does not expect any major problems with this.
The Noorderzijlvest water board (North Drenthe) expects another two days of wetness, but calls the situation manageable. “We were able to drain well in the Lauwersmeer area,” says spokesperson Ivette Schuitema. The De Waterwolf pumping station in Lauwerzijl offers a solution for this.
The water board’s reservoirs are filling up, but the water can be stored in the Lauwersmeer and then drained to the sea.
The Vechtstromen Water Board has seen the water level drop in many places in recent days. Although heavy precipitation is expected and the water level will rise again, Vechtstromen provides enough space to manage the water.
This also applies to the Drenthe canal system. Vechtstromen also expects an increase here, but because the level has fallen in recent days, no problems are expected.
The water board asks the public to only use paved roads and paths on slopes, dikes and banks. These may be unstable due to recent water. Vechtstromen also warns that it is still dangerous to canoe on one of the routes in the water board.