Update: water levels almost back to normal, start emptying De Dijken-Bakkerom balancing lake
Following last week’s heavy rainfall, the situation in the Noorderzijlvest Water region has calmed down again, and water levels have almost returned to normal.
Start draining balancing lake Dykes
This morning, we began draining the balancing lake Dykes balancing lake . We opened one of the four gates, allowing us to discharge water in a controlled manner into the Electraboezem. From the catchwater , the water catchwater into Lauwersmeer and the Wadden Sea.
We expect the gate to be closed on Sunday, March 6. After that, the weir the pumping station will take over pumping station drainage from the storage basin. It is expected to take 2 to 4 weeks for the water level in the storage basin to return to normal.
While emptying the storage area, we’ll keep a close eye on water levels in and around the storage area and on the weather forecast so we can make adjustments if necessary.
Floodplains
Since 28 February, water from the Lettelberterberg catchwater has been drained in a controlled manner via the Vredewold polder. It is expected to take three weeks for the Lettelberterberg catchwater to return to its normal water level. From 1 March, the water in the emergency overflow area on the north side of the Leekstermeer will also be drained in a controlled manner via the Vredewold polder. Here too, it may take some time for the water level to return to normal.
Last week, the water authority activated the overflow area north of Leekstermeer and Lettelberterberg catchwater. These areas were flooded with water in order to lower the water level at lake Leekstermeer.
The pumping station at Tolberterpetten is operational again
Last week, emergency drainage was initiated due to a failure at the pumping station Tolberterpetten. The pumping station again, and the water level in Tolberterpetten has returned to normal.
Inspection of dykes flood embankments
Due to all the rainfall last week, the ground is saturated. This also applies to dykes flood embankments watercourses. For this reason, the water authority flood embankments inspects water authority dykes flood embankments to check for damage caused by erosion and possible subsidence.