Climate and water collection

Climate change is causing more frequent and heavier rainfall. De Onlanden ensures that we are better prepared for these extreme weather conditions. During heavy rainfall, large amounts of water flow into streams and ditches. De Onlanden is a low-lying nature reserve that temporarily collects this water, allowing it to gradually drain into the sea. This prevents flooding and water damage in Groningen and Drenthe.

Yes, De Onlanden collects extra water. During heavy rainfall, large amounts of water flow into streams and ditches. De Onlanden is a low-lying nature reserve that temporarily collects this water.
This prevents flooding in Groningen and Drenthe.

Climate change is causing us to experience increasingly frequent and prolonged periods of heavy rainfall. The Onlanden plays a crucial role in absorbing this excess water, thereby helping to prevent flooding.

But De Onlanden is more than just a water storage area. It is also a valuable nature reserve where plants and animals flourish, and a place where people can enjoy peace and space. By giving water and nature more space, we are building a more robust and resilient water system that is better able to withstand the effects of climate change.

The three northern provinces and water boards are working on regional water safety within the Dry Feet 2050 program. The risk of flooding in the northern provinces is increasing as the climate changes more rapidly. Research has been conducted to determine what is needed. This has resulted in measures to limit the consequences of extreme weather caused by climate change. 

The Noorderzijlvest Water Authority is taking the following measures to retain, store, and drain water: 

• The capacity of pumping stations increased 

• Additional water storage areas will be created 

• Quays and dykes raised and reinforced. 

Some of these measures have already been implemented. For example, several water storage areas have already been constructed or modified in the Zuidelijk Westerkwartier, such as the Lettelberterbergboezem, De Drie Polders, and De Dykes . balancing lake Onlanden and its expansion are also part of these measures. The measures will help to keep our feet dry in the future, although flooding due to extreme rainfall cannot be completely ruled out everywhere.

When we have to implement Dry Feet measures (such as balancing lakes), many people will already be experiencing flooding. This is because there will have been extremely high rainfall and the soil will be completely saturated. Dry Feet measures do not solve local flooding. They ensure that water safety is not compromised.

De Onlanden is both a water storage area and a nature reserve. This combination makes the area a climate buffer. By giving space to nature and temporarily retaining extra water in extreme weather, De Onlanden helps to limit the effects of climate change. 
 

Climate change not only causes flooding, but also drought. In De Onlanden, we want to temporarily collect water when there is heavy rainfall. In the Kop van Drenthe, we are investigating how we can retain water for longer to prevent drought. This is being done in a separate project.

Climate change is bringing us more rain and more dry periods. That is why the province of Drenthe and the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority, together with other parties, are looking at ways to improve the water system.

The objectives are:

• Better water retention in wet and dry conditions
• Improving nature and biodiversity
• Contributing to future-proof agriculture
• Preparing the area for extreme weather.