Obstructions

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, De Wijmers in Loppersum will be closed until 24 April 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 according to 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, the Westerwijtwerderdraai bridge in Westerwijtwerd is out of service until further notice.
There is no passage from Boterdiep to Westerwijtwerd via Westerwijtwerdermaar to Damsterdiep.
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 Roggenkampsluis lock Delfzijl

A technical incident has restricted the operation of the Roggenkampsluis lock.
Requests to operate the Roggenkampsluis, the bridge over the lock, and the Stuurhuisbrug bridge must be submitted 24 hours in advance to the bridge keeper by calling +31 (0)6 46 05 79 14. on BRUG 15.
You can also take a detour via the Groevesluis – Noord lock 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)