Obstructions

Work on Nieuwe Diep in Appingedam

From 19 January to 1 April 2026, work will be carried out in the Nieuwe Diep near the Nieuwedieptil.

Due to the presence of pontoons with a crane, the navigable width of the waterway has been halved at this site.

There may also be delays in passage during the aforementioned period.

More information: Municipality of Eemsdelta, Mr N. de Vries, tel. 140596 (without area code)

Limited passage through Damsterdiep in Groningen near Ruischerwaard

Reinforcement work is being carried out near Ruischerwaard in Groningen.

This work requires pontoons in Damsterdiep until 1 April  2026 and there is extremely limited passage for small vessels only.

There may also be delays in passage during the work.

More information: Kooi Construction Company, Mr Voolstra, tel. +31 (0)596 692 692

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.

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: Municipality of Eemsdelta, Mr B. de Vries, tel. 140596 (without area code)

The operation of the Hunsingo bridge in the Hunsingo canal in Zoutkamp is restricted

The operation of the Hunsingo bridge will be restricted in the coming period. At the moment, the Hunsingo bridge can only be operated manually and some work and various tests and safety tests still need to be carried out. Passage will remain possible on the days listed below, provided you report to the Groningen Executive planning department (+31 (0)50-3164009) at least 24 hours in advance. 

• Friday, 12 December 2025
• Friday, 19 December 2025
• From 9 January 2026, every Friday until March 2026 (expected)

Passage time approximately 13:30.

More information: Noorderzijlvest Water Authority, Mr E. Ottens, tel.+31 (0)50 3048344

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 the Municipality of Eemsdelta, 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 atinfo@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 region and information about water levels from Rijkswaterstaat. 

•  Water levels

New Waterworks Zoutkamp

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 lock.Nieuwe Waterwerken Zoutkamp