Schouwerzijl lock
In Schouwerzijl, the water board carried out work on both the bridge and the lock. A closure mechanism was installed in the lock. In addition, the lock was renovated and the Schouwerzijlsterbrug bridge was repaired. The intention was to carry out the final work in November and December. The railings have been installed, but due to the weather conditions in recent weeks (frost and rain), the work on the paving and harbor facilities has been postponed until early 2023.
Shut-off device
Installing the closure facility is one of the many measures we are implementing as a water authority in response to climate change and the increasing risk of flooding and water shortages. The facility ensures that, in extreme situations, we can separate the drainage areas of the H.D. Louwes pumping station in Zoutkamp and the De Waterwolf pumping station in Lammerburen.
By installing a closure device in the lock, we can better retain or drain the water.
Lock
The renovation of the lock itself was included in the installation of the closure facility. In 2020, archive material was collected and the lock was inspected so that we have a good picture of its cultural-historical value and condition. The masonry of the lock walls has been repaired. The floor of the lock is still in good condition. The lock was drained in order to carry out the renovation. The lock gates have been replaced but have no function in water management.
Schouwerzijlster Bridge
Research has shown that a large proportion of the bridges in the Noorderzijlvest water board's management area are in need of refurbishment. Seventeen bridges will be replaced or renovated in the period 2020-2023. Preparations for the replacement and/or renovation of the Schouwerzijlsterburg bridge were scheduled to start in 2022, but have been brought forward so that the work can be combined with that for the new closure facility.
Preparations for work on the bridge began in 2021. Inspections of the bridge and the lock foundation were carried out. The use of the bridge was also further investigated. This led to the conclusion that the bridge does not need to be replaced, but only requires renovation. This mainly concerns concrete repairs on and under the bridge. For this work, the existing asphalt on the bridge deck was removed and reapplied. The existing railings were recoated with the same color scheme.
Port area
In order to properly maintain the tilting weir, bridge, and lock, the water board needs space next to the lock from which to work, for example with a crane. The best location for this is southeast of the bridge and lock, on the harbor site. The municipality of Het Hogeland and the Village Interests Association have coordinated their plans regarding the harbor layout.
