Water as the key
We are increasingly faced with longer periods of heavy rainfall or drought. This has consequences for the water system. The aim is to create a system that adapts to climate change, provides sufficient water, and prevents flooding as much as possible.
Eelder and Peizerdiep water system
Water is the key to solving many problems in the Kop van Drenthe region. It is important for agriculture, the livability of rural areas, biodiversity, tourism, housing construction, CO₂ storage in peat soils, dealing with heat stress, and preventing flooding. Sooner or later, climate change will affect all functions in this area. This is because the Eelder and Peizerdiep system, an almost closed water system, is heavily dependent on rainwater and, in the summer, on water from the IJsselmeer.
Climate change
Our climate is becoming warmer and wetter. Winters are seeing more rain, while summers are becoming drier. And when it does rain in summer, it is increasingly heavy. Yet the precipitation surplus is decreasing. This is because an increasing proportion of the precipitation is evaporating again. Less water will infiltrate the soil, resulting in less water being available for drinking water and irrigation, for seepage-dependent nature, and flowing streams. There will also be less water available for supply from the IJsselmeer, via the canals and streams.
Increased demand for water
At the same time, we are seeing an increase in water demand. The population is growing and per capita water consumption is rising. This increases the pressure on available groundwater and thus also on groundwater reserves. Climate change is causing increased drought, both in nature and in agriculture. This creates greater demand for water, which is more difficult to meet when less water is available from the IJsselmeer and groundwater reserves are under pressure.
Not all consequences of climate change—drought and flooding—can be solved. The system also has its limits. A large part of the solution will therefore lie in adaptation and acceptance.
Water and soil management
The water and soil system is the foundation for all developments in the Kop van Drenthe region. In order to create a climate-proof and future-oriented area, we apply the principle of 'water and soil control'. This means that the functions of the area, such as agriculture, nature, construction, and recreation, are tailored to the natural possibilities and limitations of the water and soil system.
This principle forms the basis for all proposed measures and contributes to an integrated approach that also takes into account issues such as biodiversity, landscape, agriculture, economy, cultural history, and archaeology.
