Successful excursion Waterloopbos

On 19 June, the excursion to the Waterloopbos in Northeast Polder was held. Although the excursion was fully booked with a maximum of 20 participants, in practice we had to make do with a few fewer people. The reason for this was the thunderstorms predicted by KNMI, which led to a code yellow and orange being issued in some provinces. However, this was not to spoil the fun.

Our host, Mr Jules Overmars of Natuurmonumenten, who is also an engineer and former employee of the Hydraulic Laboratory, took us through this part of the country's hydraulic history with a fascinating presentation. His great knowledge of the subject and the combination of technology and nature made many a heart beat faster and soon the questions were all over the place. However, as is often the case with such excursions, the answers only come to life after you have been able to see the solution in the field. Fortunately, the showers soon subsided and we were treated to so-called "technical weather" during the walk through "the field".

This walk through the field led past several models of domestic and foreign ports, canals and coasts. These were designed here at the time to test different currents and shipping loads to scale in order to arrive at optimal and responsible designs. As this relief lab fell out of use in the early 1990s and people hardly looked after it anymore, nature has since taken possession of it. Jules expertly led us past the predecessor of "the Delta flume" and models of the New Waterway, the river crossing at Wijk bij Duurstede and the harbour of West-Terschelling, among others. Frequent reference was also made to the unique nature present and the design of the hydrological lab itself (including inflow and outflow mechanisms). The successful excursion ended with a pleasant drink after which everyone went their separate ways.

Will you join us on a journey of discovery through the Netherlands' history of hydraulic engineering? Then come to the Waterloopbos on 19 June!

The Hydraulic Laboratory (WL) was a Dutch independent scientific institute in the field of hydraulics and hydraulic engineering in Delft between 1927 and 2008. In the later period, the institute was known as WL | Delft Hydraulics. In 2008, it merged into the institute Deltares.

The Hydraulic Laboratory was a Large Technology Institute (GTI) and had the task of acquiring, generating and disseminating hydraulic and hydraulic engineering knowledge. Among other things, it conducted research on the causes of changes in the course of rivers, estuaries and coasts the possible influence of these changes by hydraulic engineering activities. The institute had an important advisory role in the realisation of the Delta Works. The institute had branches in Delft and later in Noordoostpolder. (source. Wikipedia)

From 1951 to 1996, a Hydraulic Laboratory "De Voorst" (WLV) was located in the Noordoostpolder. The site was located in the Voorster forest near the Zwolse Vaart and the Kadoelermeer lake, between Marknesse, Kraggenburg and Vollenhove. There was space here to build large scale models of estuaries and harbours to predict the influence of hydraulic works on the course of the water. The large differences in the levels of surface waters in the area could also be used here. Especially during the period of planning and construction of the Delta Works in the south-western Netherlands, water models fulfilled an important role. A model was also created here for the reconstruction of the port of Lagos (Nigeria). (source. Wikipedia)

From the 1980s, computer models started to become useful for mapping possible water flows and the need for very large-scale physical water models diminished. As a result, in 1995 WL decided to concentrate its activities in Delft and close the Noordoostpolder site. (source. Wikipedia). The site was eventually bought by Natuurmonumenten in 2002. As part of the Voorster forest, it was named Waterloopbos. The water models can still be viewed; in the forest, a footpath runs along the various watercourses.

The KIVI Department of Land Use and Water Management, in cooperation with the KIVI Department of Hydraulic Engineering, is organising a fascinating afternoon excursion to the Waterloopbos. Have you always wondered how the world's great waterworks came about? Then this is the place to be!

Are you more interested in landscaping or area development? Then this excursion will also be fascinating for you! Because it will also discuss how Natuurmonumenten will develop the Waterloopbos over the next 10 years. Not only will the various models be restored, but there will also be a large educational water play model. In this way, a connection will be made between landscape development and hydraulic engineering in the past, present and future!

Welcome on Wednesday 19 June from 13.00-17.00: Voorsterweg 34, 8316 PT Marknesse

Programme

13.00 - 14.00 walk-in with coffee/tea:

14.00 - 16.00 hrs excursion

16.00 - 17.00 hrs drinks + afterglow

Interested? Then sign up quickly via the sign-up button on the right (NB. initially 20 spots are available)

More info:

https://www.natuurmonumenten.nl/natuurgebieden/waterloopbos/info-en-contact

https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voorsterbos