Update: Gold Found During Dredging Work in Boterdiep
Sometimes surprising stories come to light during our work, and sometimes they’re just a little too good to be true. The report about gold nuggets in the Boterdiep is an April Fools’ Day joke. So no gold was found during the dredging, although our water is certainly worth its weight in gold.
With this playful touch, we want to draw attention to the real work we do every day: ensuring a clean, safe, and sufficient water supply in our region. No gold nuggets, but plenty of dedication, knowledge, and love for water. Want to learn more about our work on clean and healthy water? Then click on the following link: Clean and Healthy Water | Noorderzijlvest Water Authority
It’s good to know that we are actually dredging at the Boterdiep. The jug was also genuinely found during the dredging operations.
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Gold nuggets were found last Thursday during dredging work on the Boterdiep. A surprising discovery. “Items often surface during dredging, but a find of such great value is unique,” said project leader Ruurd van den Berg of Noorderzijlvest Water Authority.
The presence of gold nuggets in Boterdiep appears to be the result of human activity. It is still unknown how these nuggets ended up in the Boterdiep. Ecologist Edwin van der Pouw Kraan of the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority has a theory. Gold as a precious metal in our water is exceptional. The Netherlands is not a country known for erosion or the natural presence of gold. Therefore, it is certain that this is the result of human activity. Furthermore, it is highly undesirable to have heavy metals in our water.
During dredging, a layer of mud is removed from the bottom of the Boterdiep. This layer of mud is formed by soil runoff from the surrounding area, for example, but also by dead aquatic plants and leaves. The Boterdiep has been dredged before, and the fact that the gold nuggets are surfacing now suggests that the gold may have been in the water for quite some time.
The Water Authority intends to collaborate with archaeologists to investigate the origin of the gold. The Boterdiep is a 25-kilometer-long canal constructed in the 17th century for the transport of dairy products. During this trade, the Boterdiep was quite busy.
There are also various legends about the Boterdiep. For example, about the village of Doodstil, which is also located on the Boterdiep. In the past, a small ferry operated on the Boterdiep. That ferry also transported coffins. The story goes that one day the ferry made an unexpected movement, causing the coffin to disappear into the water. Whether the gold nuggets originate from this story, are remnants from World War II, or were recently thrown into the canal is something the Water Authority would like to investigate.
The gold is currently stored safely at a secret location. Interested parties may view the gold find upon request.