Recreation and access

De Onlanden balancing lake is only used in extreme weather conditions. During this period, access to the area is restricted for walkers and cyclists. During wet periods, particularly between November and February, some walking routes and cycle paths may become fully or partially flooded. Examples include: Roderwolderdijk, Bommelier, and Verlengde Boterdijk. These cycle paths will then be closed for a few days. Alternative routes are available so that you can continue walking or cycling.

Agreements about road closures and the associated communication are set out in a protocol. The local authorities are responsible for communicating the current access to the area.

De Onlanden balancing lake is accessible during construction or maintenance work on the expansion of the balancing lake. However, there may be temporary inconvenience due to construction traffic and earthworks.

Yes, all existing routes will remain unchanged. The locations where you can transfer your canoe at a weir also stay the same. During construction work, signs will indicate which paths are closed temporarily or less accessible.

During wet periods, some cycle paths in De Onlanden are fully or partially flooded. This is because the area has been designed as balancing lake. This occurs more frequently between November and February.

The local council closes flooded paths and puts up signs. Walkers and cyclists are given information about alternative routes. For the cycle path along the Roderwolder dyke, the Matsloot/Hooiweg towards Groningen is an alternative.

The separate cycle path will remain accessible to cyclists even when the balancing lake is fully operational. The water authority also studies whether the drainage system along the cycle path can be improved, so that the cycle path may be flooded less time.