Area development Zuidelijk Westerkwartier

Spring 2026 walk-in meeting

We will soon be inviting local residents and other stakeholders to a walk-in meeting about the final design for the Dwarsdiep area. We will also explain which activities will be started first. For example, we will replace culverts (concrete pipes) and weirs, and we will be working on nature-friendly banks and fish passages. We will also provide more information about the Wilgepad-Oost and Marumerlage-Noord areas. Local residents will receive an invitation shortly, and we will also share the date and place of the meeting on this website.

First step Dwarsdiep area: improving the water system near Marum

The final design for the development of the Dwarsdiep area as a nature and balancing lake is ready. If the Board of Directors of the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority grants the credit for the work in February, we can start implementation at locations outside the balancing-lake area later in 2026. This means that we will first improve the water system in the Marum area. In addition, we will continue to prepare for developing the area as a nature reserve and balancing lake.

What will happen in Marum?
We are improving water drainage and water-level management around Marum:

• It is important to agriculture and villages in the area that water can be drained properly during heavy rainfall. That is why we are improving culverts south of the Marumerlage and near the Wilgepad.
• Two smaller weirs of the A7 will also be widened to improve water level management.
• Furthermore, the two larger weirs, the Balktilster weir and Ooster Liets weer, will be replaced and modernised.
• In addition, we create nature-friendly banks and fish passages.

Schedule Work is expected to start after the summer. We will explain the plans in more detail during an information meeting this spring. An invitation will follow shortly.

What are we doing in the Zuidelijk Westerkwartier?

The climate is changing. This increases the risk of flooding and water shortages in the region. The consequences of this have been investigated in a study. 

• To combat flooding up to 2050, we need to take measures. Some of these will be implemented within the Zuidelijk Westerkwartier. The water authority has three important tasks in this regard: 
  • Keeping feet dry: this is achieved by constructing various balancing lakes. 
  • Improving water quality: this means working to ensure clean and healthy surface water and groundwater. 
  • Improved water retention: this helps to limit the impact of drought, and reduces flooding during extreme rainfall. 
• At the same time, the Groningen provincial executive also has an important goal within the Zuidelijk Westerkwartier: establishing the National Nature Network (NNN).

The provincial executive and the water authority implement measures for nature and water together as much as possible. This prevents duplication of work and double inconvenience for the residents of the area.

Combating flooding and water shortages

To combat flooding and water shortages, we will be working on the following in the coming period:

• Designing the Dwarsdiep stream system. This involves retaining 2.7 million m3 of water in combination with a natural stream design. 

What has been completed in the meantime?

• Designing a balancing lake and nature area within "De Driepolders." In the balancing lake, we can store 1.3 million m3 of water temporarily in case of emergencies.
• Designing the balancing lake and nature area within the De Dijken-Bakkerom polder. In an emergency, the balancing lake an store 1.2 million m3 of water temporarily.
• Optimisation of the Lettelberterberg catchwater. The water inlets and outlets of the retention catchwater have been replaced. The retention catchwater now has a more natural design. This makes the area more suitable as a habitat for fish.
• Optimising water management in the Vredewold, Nienoord, Zuiderpolder, Fanerpolder (replacement of pumping station), Lagemeeden, and Lettelbert polders. We have adapted water management to the requirements of the National Administrative Agreement on Water (NBW).
• The regional flood defence Hoendiep has been reinforced. This reinforcement ensures that the polders behind it will remain dry even in extreme weather conditions in the future.   

Balancing lakes

We can use the balancing lakes when there is exceptionally high rainfall over a period of time. The balancing lakes help to keep water levels in the catchwater within limits during flooding.

• The balancing lakes Drie Polders' and 'Polder de Dijken-Bakkerom' are ready for use. The change in the landscape is clearly visible.

What are we working on? 

We are preparing the layout of the Dwarsdiep, completing a number of ongoing projects, and are preparing for phase 2 of the Marumerlage. For example, we are working on the WFD (Water Framework Directive) measures for the A7 South and evaluating the Water Level Regulation Plan for the Marumerlage. In the coming years, the Groningen provincial executive will develop the nature reserve north of Marumerlage and connect it to the Marumerlage. In addition, the Dwarsdiep will be developed as a nature area and balancing lake. All these issues will influence the development of the Marumerlage. 

Development of nature reserves

The Provincial Executive has designated eight nature areas for development or improvement: 't Faan, Matsloot, Pasop, the Leekstermeer area, Midwolde, Grootegastermolenpolder, A7 South, Coendersborg, and Iwema Steenhuis. These areas have specific nature objectives in line with the Dutch Nature Network (NNN). The development of these areas also requires water-system measures, such as improving water quality and water management. We will be providing more specific details about these tasks in the near future.