Future agenda for lake Lauwersmeer and exploratory study

The Future Agenda for Lake Lauwersmeer is a plan for the next ten years to strengthen and protect the lake Lauwersmeer area against challenges such as sea-level rise, subsidence, heavy rainfall, and prolonged drought.
The agenda was drawn up with input from local residents, farmers, nature conservationists, fishermen, and other stakeholders. Important themes on the agenda are:

• Ensuring a robust natural environment with freshwater-saltwater transition, freshwater availability, good water drainage, and water safety
• Develop recreation and tourism without overburdening nature
• Sustainable harbour development at Lauwersoog and future-proof fishing 

The Noorderzijlvest and Wetterskip Fryslân Water Authorities are responsible for water management. Water connects all the functions in the lake Lauwersmeer area: safe living and working, nature, recreation, and agriculture. 

Want to know more?

 Download Future Agenda for Lake Lauwersmeer.pdf  (Dutch only)
 

For the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority, clean and healthy water, waterproofing the future, and enough water in every season are the most important tasks in the lake Lauwersmeer area. 

Clean and healthy water
The water authority ensures there is clean and healthy water in lake Lauwersmeer. This improves the ecological water quality and nature. Important goals are: a transition area between freshwater and saltwater, free fish migration, and combating pollution and exotic species. 

Enough water in every season
Freshwater flows from Friesland and Groningen to lake Lauwersmeer and the Wadden Sea. In dry periods, freshwater is brought in from lake IJsselmeer to maintain the water level and prevent salinisation. This helps agriculture and strengthens the transition between freshwater and saltwater. Studies have shown that a limited inflow of saltwater has no impact on agricultural land. That is why only the northern part of Lauwersmeer is becoming brackish for nature restoration, while the southern part remains fresh for agriculture. 

Living safely with water
Water authorities ensure safe dykes. Lake Lauwersmeer also helps to keep the area safe and prevent flooding in the hinterland. Climate change will result in more precipitation, which means that more water will have to be drained via lake Lauwersmeer. Water safety is a prerequisite for combining nature restoration and a climate-proof water management system.  

Read more about the water challenges in the lake Lauwersmeer area.

How can we ensure a better transition between freshwater and saltwater at lake Lauwersmeer and the Wadden Sea? How can we improve the ecological water quality improves and a future for agriculture. And how can we guarantee water safety with this solution? That is what this exploratory study is all about. Until 2028, we will be working with local partners to study the best way to achieve the freshwater-saltwater transition. 

Funding has been allocated through the national PAGW (Programmatic Approach to Large Water Bodies) programme to set up the saltwater monitoring network, the exploratory study, and to detail a plan. The saltwater monitoring network will enable us to build up knowledge of the water system. This will help us choose the best solution (a preferred alternative) for a more natural transition between freshwater and saltwater at lake Lauwersmeer and the Wadden Sea.
Read more about the exploratory study. 
 

The Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW) has awarded a grant of €10 million on behalf of the national PAGW programme (Programmatic Approach to Large Water Bodies) for the exploration and detailed planning of a more natural freshwater-saltwater transition between lake Lauwersmeer and the Wadden Sea. The first part of this contribution will be used to set up the saltwater monitoring network and start the exploration.   
 
The PAGW is a national programme of the Ministries of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature (LVVN) and Infrastructure and Water Management, with the aim of improving ecological water quality and strengthening nature in Dutch large water bodies. The Noorderzijlvest Water Authority collaborates with the following partners in the Programmatic Approach to Large Water Bodies (PAGW) Future-proof Lauwersmeer: Rijkswaterstaat Noord-Nederland, Staatsbosbeheer (Dutch Forestry Commission), and the  Netherlands Enterprise Agency. 
 
In addition, the water authority works on a future-proof lake Lauwersmeer together with the Lauwersmeer Steering Group (which includes the authorities in the area) and the initiative group consisting of site managers, nature organisations, farmers, and other stakeholders. This allows us to balance the interests of nature, water quality, water safety, and agriculture with due care.