100 years of De Waterwolf
On November 5, 2020, the De Waterwolf pumping station celebrated its 100th anniversary. Since then, this iconic structure on the Reitdiep has been used to drain excess water into the Wadden Sea. The 100th anniversary was celebrated in part in 2020 and 2021 with activities, open days, and an exhibition at the pumping station.
Performance by the Noordpoolorkest at De Waterwolf - retrospective
Relive the performances of the Noordpoolorkest, Marlene Bakker, and Pé & Rinus at the pumping station on August 28, 2021, which marked the end of the Year of the Water Wolf.
Newsletter
This newsletter is published as part of the 'Year of De Waterwolf'. This is the last newsletter we will be sending out in connection with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the De Waterwolf pumping station. In it, we look back on the conclusion of the Year of De Waterwolf!
The Song of the Water Wolf
Composer and pianist Reinout Douma wrote Laid van De Wotterwolf together with Groningen-based singer Marlene Bakker. It is loosely inspired by the 1964 poem by Mr. J.M. Gaaikema, former chairman of the Electra Water Board. A song about this icon on the Reitdiep, which has been devouring water in the Groningen countryside for a hundred years. And in doing so, ensuring that the hinterland keeps its feet dry. Still...
'I've known the toal of wotter t Stroomt for years now'
‘t Laid van De Wotterwolf - (text: The Song of the Water Wolf)
I know the song of water
It has flowed through me for years
My thirst is gone
Its all-consuming existence is no stranger to me
In this underwater world
there is no existence of wisdom
I fill my lungs
the water knows the way by itself
And so within us together
And so we glide through time
And so we dance with each other
And so it is never a struggle again
Within us together
Around mie, wide fields
Where the wild wind still sings
Distant lochten, fearful clay
Where the water meanders gratefully
And so within us together
And so we glide through time
And so we dance with each other
And so there is never again a struggle
Within us together
The Song of the Water Wolf
I know the language of water
It has been flowing through me for years
It quenches my thirst forever
Its all-consuming existence is not foreign to me
In this underwater world
Where no one knew it existed
I fill my lungs
The water knows (as if by itself) the way
And so we are together
And so we glide through time
And so we dance with each other
And so it is never a struggle again
Are we equal
All around me, wide fields
Where the wild wind still sings
Distant skies, fertile clay
Where the water can meander gratefully.
Location of De Waterwolf pumping station
Bicycle routes
From the De Waterwolf pumping station, you can cycle to any point on the compass. Each route takes you past eight cultural-historical objects belonging to our water board.
- Groningen cycling route.pdf
- Leek cycling route.pdf
- Lauwersoog cycling route.pdf
- Ommelanderzeedijk cycle route.pdf
- Onderdendam cycling route.pdf
Charging points:
Brochure
Podcast series- I am The Waterwolf
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1913 | Establishment of the Electra floodwater management authority |
| 1918 | Start of construction of De Waterwolf pumping station |
| 1920 | Official commissioning of De Waterwolf with three screw pumps |
| 1928 | Installation of fourth screw pump |
| 1945 | Transition from fully electric drive to diesel-electric drive by means of a diesel power generation system. |
| 1975 | From diesel-electric propulsion to propulsion by four Brons diesel engines |
| 1995 | Electra Water Authority to be merged into Noorderzijlvest Water Authority |
| 1997 | Capacity expansion through installation of two additional smaller pumps |
History and function
- Until 1877, the Reitdiep provided a natural drainage channel for excess water from the surrounding area to the sea. In that year, the Reitdiep between Zoutkamp and Nittershoek was closed off. However, this drainage system was causing increasing problems. In order to keep the residents' feet dry and provide the farmers with workable fields and pastures, the province and the national government decided that a large pumping station was needed.
- In 1913, the Electra water board was established. This water board became responsible for managing the pumping station and the drainage area (the area that had previously fallen under the Hunsingo, Westerkwartier, and Reitdiep water boards). With a slight delay due to the First World War, construction of the De Waterwolf pumping station finally began in 1918.
- On November 5, 1920, Queen Wilhelmina officially inaugurated the pumping station. The electric pumping station De Waterwolf in the Reitdiep began its important task of draining water from a large part of the province of Groningen and the northern part of Drenthe. De Waterwolf was unique for its time and is a fine piece of industrial heritage. Today, the pumping station is still in operation. In fact, it plays a key role in draining excess water to the Wadden Sea.
Ode to De Waterwolf pumping station
The De Waterwolf pumping station celebrated its 100th anniversary on November 5, 2020. To mark this occasion, artist Gert Sennema designed a weather vane as a tribute to the De Waterwolf pumping station.
