Area development Zuidelijk Westerkwartier

Spring 2026 walk-in meeting

We will soon be inviting local residents and other stakeholders to an open house meeting about the final design for the Dwarsdiep area. We will also explain which activities will be started first. For example, we will weirs culverts (concrete pipes) and weirs and 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 location 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 ready. If the Bestuur of Directors the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority grants the credit for the work in February, we can start implementation at locations outside the water storage 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 the development of 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 for 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 Balktilsterstuw and Ooster Lietsstuw, will be replaced and modernized.
• In addition, we create nature-friendly banks and fish passages.

planning 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 do we do in the Southern 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 by 2050, we need to take measures. Some of these will be implemented within the Zuidelijk Westerkwartier. The water authority 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 not only helps to limit the impact of drought, but also reduces flooding during extreme rainfall. 
• At the same time, the province of Groningen also has an important goal within the Zuidelijk Westerkwartier: establishing the National Nature Network (NNN).

The province and water authority 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 is already done?

• Designing a balancing lake nature area within "De Driepolders." In the balancing lake , we balancing lake temporarily store 1.3 million^m3of water in case of emergencies.
• Designing balancing lake nature area within the De Dykes polder. In an emergency, the balancing lake temporarily store 1.2 million^m3 of water.
• Optimization of the Lettelberterberg reservoir. The water inlets and outlets of the reservoir have been replaced. The reservoir now has a more natural design. This makes the area more suitable as a habitat for fish.
• Optimizing 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 have been reinforced. This reinforcement ensures that the polders behind them will remain dry even in extreme weather conditions in the future.   

Water storage areas

We can use the water storage areas when there is exceptionally high rainfall over a period of time. The balancing lakes to regulate water levels at the catchwater during flooding. catchwater within limits.

• The balancing lakes Drie Polders' and 'Polder de Dykes 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 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 the Marumerlage. In the coming years, the Province of Groningen will develop the nature reserve north of Marumerlage and connect it to the Marumerlage. In addition, the Dwarsdiep will be developed as a nature and water storage area. All these issues will influence the development of the Marumerlage. 

Development of nature reserves

The Province has designated eight nature areas for development or improvement: 't Faan, Matsloot, Pasop, the Leekstermeer area, Midwolde, Grootegastermolenpolder, A7 Zuid, Coendersborg, and Iwema Steenhuis. These areas have specific nature objectives according to 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.