Best Practices
Stream Valley Restoration Hunzedal
Part of:
De Ommelanden
De Ommelanden
The restoration of stream valleys is a reaction to the channelling of almost all Drentse streams. This was done in the early 20th century.
Water drainage was stimulated to make stream valleys suitable for more intensive forms of agriculture. Since the 80’s, ecological awareness grew and with that the restoration of stream valleys was brought to the attention. In 1995 the Hunzevisie was developed: the Hunzedal had to become a natural stream valley again.
For more than twenty years, Drentse Landschap and Groninger Landschap have worked together with the Hunze en Aa’s waterboard and other actors to purchase land. Together with the Government, the province, municipalities, (water) companies, recreational entrepreneurs and volunteers, they succeeded to largely restore the nature area. Parts of the Hunze valley is restored as ecological connection for plants and animals, and water quality has improved. The restoration of the Hunze also improves water storage, reduces heat stress in the urban area, provides all kind of recreational activities and enhances the cultural-historical character of the Hunze valley.
For more than twenty years, Drentse Landschap and Groninger Landschap have worked together with the Hunze en Aa’s waterboard and other actors to purchase land. Together with the Government, the province, municipalities, (water) companies, recreational entrepreneurs and volunteers, they succeeded to largely restore the nature area. Parts of the Hunze valley is restored as ecological connection for plants and animals, and water quality has improved. The restoration of the Hunze also improves water storage, reduces heat stress in the urban area, provides all kind of recreational activities and enhances the cultural-historical character of the Hunze valley.
De Ommelanden
The Netherlands was once a swamp, filled with streams, flooded areas and wet nature. Over time, this empty swamp land was transformed into one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The majority of people live in cities and towns, the outside area is mainly used for intensive agriculture and other functions. As a result, our landscape became less and less natural and less and less wet. Nowadays, confronted with the effects of climate change, we start to realize the necessity of wet nature: to absorb excessive water due to heavy rainfall, to retain and control water that flows in from other areas, and to provide water during periods of drought.
Luckily, numerous initiatives are set up to recover our landscape to its natural wet state. By flooding meadows again, by re-meandering streams and by participation of inhabitants in the built environment, the Northern-Netherlands can increasingly become the marshland that it once was. We help nature, so nature can help us and protect us from the changing climate.
Luckily, numerous initiatives are set up to recover our landscape to its natural wet state. By flooding meadows again, by re-meandering streams and by participation of inhabitants in the built environment, the Northern-Netherlands can increasingly become the marshland that it once was. We help nature, so nature can help us and protect us from the changing climate.
Best practices in
De Ommelanden
De Ommelanden
At a rock’s throw distance from the city of Groningen lies the contiguous nature reserve De Onlanden for almost 10 years. Between the stream valleys of the Eelderdiep and the Peizerdiep lies wet low moorland.
In the Netherlands it often rains. A large share of that rainwater disappears into the sewer. When it rains too much, sewers can flood, with too little rain the much needed rainwater disappears.
The restoration of stream valleys is a reaction to the channelling of almost all Drentse streams. This was done in the early 20th century.
The Three Polders is one of the sub-projects of the area development in the Southern Westerkwartier. Originally this area was very wet, but over the years it was drained to benefit agriculture.
The Marumerlage area lies north of the village of Marum, and is crossed by the Dwarsdiep river. It is part of the ‘Ecologische Hoofdstructuur’: a network of existing nature reserves, new nature to be created and ecological connection zones where animals and plants are given priority.
It is often said that God created the world, but the Dutch created the Netherlands. Over the years we have learned to reclaim or remove large bodies of water and protect our low-lying country against the sea.
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