Autumn walk along the Roode Beek
Excursion to Waterschap Limburg / Roode Beek, 3 November 2017
On Friday 3 November 2017, Region Limburg-South organised an autumn walk along the Roode Beek near Schinveld.
Messrs Coenen, Tholen and Rouwette, project managers from the Limburg Water Board, were our guides this afternoon.
Reception at BovenWater and explanation of the water board's work
After coffee and flan in BovenWater Food & Drinks, which is the catering facility in visitor centre Roode Beek, we were given an explanation of the work of the Waterschap. Water boards in the Netherlands are the fourth elected government body, alongside the national, provincial and municipal governments, in a given region in charge of water quality and water quantity, of surface water in particular. Water quality means that the water board is responsible for the ( natural ) quality of water discharged in its catchment area.
The Roode Beek and water management in South Limburg
The Roode Beek owes its name to its red colour, which indicates the presence of iron in the water. In this case, the iron is naturally present in the water. Pollutants that do not occur naturally in the water are removed from wastewater in sewage treatment plants. In Limburg, Waterschapsbedrijf Limburg, is responsible for the management and operation of the treatment plants, which discharge the treated water into streams. Water quantity means that the Water Board is responsible for the water level in its working area. In South Limburg, this requires a different approach than in North Limburg. In southern Limburg, on the slopes, heavy rainfall can cause large amounts of water to flow into the streams in a short time, causing the water level in those streams to rise rapidly. This phenomenon and the erosion that accompanies it are combated by trying to retain the water in the area longer and slowly releasing it back to the streams. In North Limburg, on the sandy soils, it is important to maintain the water level in the brooks at a certain height so that no drying out occurs in the area. This benefits farmers in particular. In the Roode Beek catchment area, work has been carried out in recent years.
A piece of history
In the mining period, coal was washed with water from the streams. The polluted 'washing water' had to be discharged to the Meuse as quickly as possible, leaving as little pollution as possible in the catchment area. To achieve the rapid drainage, streams were canalised and even tiled.
After the closure of the mines and with the changing climate, it became necessary to rearrange the streams with the aim of retaining abundant rainwater longer in the stream basin. In addition, it was realised that water is a quality-enhancing element in people's living environment.
Water boards' planners are taking these changing views into account and making plans to de-clutter and meander streams again. In addition, water buffers are being planned to collect excess rainwater and slowly release it back to the stream.
These plans follow lengthy public participation and permit procedures before the Water Board can proceed with implementation. In recent years, the Roode Beek catchment area has been laid out according to the principles described above, which we were able to see with our own eyes and with the explanations of the gentlemen project managers during the walk.
The walk along the Roode Beek
We walked along the stream from BovenWater. The German part has not been modified, the Dutch part has been locally ploughed, so that peat can be seen on the surface. Another section has been deepened, creating a water buffer of up to eighty-five thousand cubic metres. Further on, there is a weir so that water can be held back to protect the area downstream from high water. With the explanations included, we can speak of an animated walk, in which the beautiful autumn weather added an extra dimension.
Jo Bergers, KIVI Region Limburg South
Description
We have found Messrs Coenen, Tholen and Rouwette, project managers at
Waterschap Limburg, willing to preside as guides this afternoon.
We will gather at BovenWater food&drinks. That is the catering facility in the Roode Beek visitors' centre, where we will receive an explanation of works to make watercourses meander again.
The explanation will cover the work from planning to implementation.
After coffee and tea, we will take an autumn walk along the Roode Beek, guided by the project managers. Here we can see in nature the effect of the change.
We will also see and hear how the Water Board:
- keeps an eye on the water level for agriculture and nature,
- prevents the drying up of nature areas,
- ensures that streams meander again and why that is so important,
- wants to make us aware of what we ourselves can do to keep the water level.
After the walk, we will return to BovenWater, where we can discuss the work of the Water Board over a snack and a drink.
Speaker(s)
Project managers Coenen, Tholen and Rouwette of the Limburg Water Board
Location
Organiser
Region Limburg South
Name and contact details for information
Ing. Jo Bergers