Obstructions

Dredging work on the Molenrijgstermaar, Hunsingo canal, and Hoornsevaart Molenrijgstermaar

Starting 11 May 2026, dredging work will take place in the Molenrijgstermaar between Leens and the small harbour in Molenrij. A cutter suction dredger will be used for this work. The watercourse remains open to boat traffic, but please be aware of potential disruptions when passing the dredging rig and the floating pressure pipe.
Hunsingo canal and Hoornsevaart

In the coming period, to September 2026, dredging work will also take place on the Hunsingo canal and the Hoornsevaart, between Leens and Zoutkamp. The waterway will remain open during this work. However, passing through may take a little longer due to the presence of dredging equipment.

Contact person: Noorderzijlvest Water Authority, Mr C. Quint, tel. +31 (0)6-18300335

Obstruction Warhuisterloopdiep

From 1 June 2026 to 2 October 2026, a sheet pile wall will be installed in the Warfhuisterloopdiep. As a result, the stretch between Warfhuizen and the Douwenstertil will be closed to navigation.

For more information: Hogeland Council, Mr Mark Truin, tel. +31 (0)6-20804565

No service on the De Hekel bridge in Appingedam

Work is currently underway on the De Hekel bridge in Appingedam.
As a result, the bridge cannot be operated until 16:00 on 5 May 2026. Central passiage is possible up to approximately 2.5 metres in height.
An alternative route is available via the Damster Balkgat, with a clearance height of 1.7 metres at the Vlas bridge.

For more information: Eemsdelta Council, Mr R. Koers, tel. 140596 (no area code)
 

Obstruction in the Damsterdiep canal in Appingedam 

From 26 March to 1 May until 16:00 p.m. work will be carried out on the Hekelbrug bridge in Appingedam.

This means that the bridge cannot be operated. Central passage will possible up to a height of approximately 2.50 m.

There is an alternative route via Damster Balkgat, with a clearance height of 1.70 m at Vlasburg. 

For more information: Eemsdelta Council, Mr R. Koers, tel. 140596 (without area code)

Obstruction De Wijmers in Loppersum

Due to construction work, Wijmers in Loppersum will be closed for shipping until 4 May 2026 .

Contact person: De Boer&De Groot, Mr M. Veldhuis, tel. +31 (0)050 – 2005244

Convoy sailing on Hoendiep near Zuidhorn

Due to a prolonged technical incident on Gabrug bridge, it is now operated manually from time to time in accordance with the schedule below.
As a result, there is limited passage on Hoendiep, insofar as it depends on bridge operation.

Between 31 August 31 and 1 May, convoy sailing can be requested 24 hours in advance by calling +31 (0)50 316 4009.

More information: Province of Groningen, Mr Mulder, tel. +31 (0)6 22828862

No operation of Westerwijtwerderdraai

Due to an incident and renovation work, the Westerwijtwerderdraai will be out of service until 2 October 2026. As a result, there is no passage from Boterdiep to Westerwijtwerd via the Westerwijtwerdermaar to the Damsterdiep, insofar as it depends on bridge operation.
Clearance height of the main fairway: approx. 1 metre. 

The Stedum marina is only accessible from Damsterdiep via Westerwijtwerdermaar.

More information: Eemsdelta Council, Mr B. de Vries, tel. 140596 (without area code)

Limited operation Roggenkamp lock Delfzijl

Due to a technical incident and the phased conversion of lock operations from BRUG15, the Roggenkamp lock will have limited operational capacity up to 30 October 2026 .

Requests to operate the Roggenkamp lock, the Bridge over the Lock, and the Stuurhuis bridge must be submitted 24 hours in advance to the bridge operator at +31 (0)6 46 05 79 14. on BRIDGE 15.
You can also take a detour via the Groeve lock – Noord near Appingedam to Stadshaven Appingedam.

For more information, please contact Eemsdelta Council, Mr B. de Vries, tel. 140596 (shortened number).

Questions about waterways and obstructions

If you have any questions about the above obstructions, please contact the designated contact person. For general questions about waterways or to request a waterway closure, please contact A. Groeneveld (waterway manager), telephone number +31 (0)50 304 8911.

There are no obstructions for road traffic.

Obstruction on graph

The passage through the Hunsingo canal at the tidal barrier at the H.D. Louwes pumping station may be blocked.

You can see the obstructions on the graph:

• Position tidal barrier in the Hunsingo canal at the H.D. Louwes pumping station - Zoutkamp - geo.noorderzijlvest.nl

Explanation of graph

• Tidal barrier open - green area
  A green area in the graph indicates that you can pass at that specific time. In that case, the lights at the entrance to the Hunsingo canal at Zoutkamp and the Abelstok pumping station are off.
• Tidal barrier closed - red area
  A red area in the graph indicates that you cannot pass at that specific time. The lights at the Hunsingo lock and Abelstok pumping station will also be red.
• Green/red or red/green area
  The graph shows the status for the past day. Was the lock opened or closed yesterday? If so, you will see both red and green in the graph. A red area on the right-hand side indicates that the lock was closed at that specific time. A green area on the right-hand side indicates that the lock was open at that specific time.

If you have any problems reading the graph, please contact us at info@noorderzijlvest.nl.

Water retention is the most important task

The tidal barrier holds back the water when that is needed for managing water levels in our region. That is its most important task. When it is not necessary to hold back the water, the tidal barrier is open. This allows vessels to pass through. At higher water levels, it may be necessary to close the tidal  barrier. The tidal barrier will then close within 10 minutes. The lights at the Abelstok and Hunsingo locks will then turn red. Is the light off? Then the H.D. Louwes tidal barrier is closed at that moment.

More information

Water levels

More information about water levels can be found on our water-level map. View the current water levels for the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority region and information about water levels from Rijkswaterstaat. 

•  Water levels

Nieuwe Waterwerken Zoutkamp (Zoutkamp hydraulic-engineering works)

The Noorderzijlvest Water Authority is increasing the capacity of the H.D. Louwes pumping station and reinforcing the regional flood defences in Zoutkamp. This is necessary in order to guarantee water safety in the long term. In a few years' time, the Hunsingo lock will take over the task of the H.D. Louwes tidal surge barrier. The Hunsingo lock will serve as both a tidal barrier and a navigation lock.Nieuwe Waterwerken Zoutkamp (Zoutkamp hydraulic-engineering works)