Lower Saxony: Haren-Rütenbrock Canal not likely to open until the end of May

The work is necessary to remove sand deposits caused by the winter flooding in the region. The Haren-Rütenbrock Canal is the only direct connection to the inland waterway network in the north of the Netherlands and is therefore of particular importance for recreational boating. The start of their season on the canal has now been delayed.

The floods around the turn of the year not only challenged the emergency services and residents along the waterways, but also affected the canals. Soundings taken by the Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency (NLWKN) show that considerable sand deposits are hindering the operation of Lock III of the Haren-Rütenbrock Canal near the Dutch border. This shoal is currently making the section between Rütenbrock and Erika impassable.

"We assume that it is sediment that got into the water from the South-North Canal, which flows into this area, during the flood," says Josef Schwanken from the NLWKN's Meppen operations centre.

The state company is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the sewer network on the left bank of the river Ems. According to Schwanken, it is also conceivable that the contamination is linked to the dyke breach at the Meerkolk nature reserve in the Twist area. The cleaning of the sand deposits is proving to be complex due to increased water levels after the winter as well as additional soil samples and pollutant analyses.

The dredging work is also made more difficult by local conditions such as the breeding and setting season and the protected tree population along the Haren-Rütenbrock Canal. Specialised equipment is required to remove the sand deposits and restore the navigability of the canal. The NLWKN asks recreational boaters for their understanding for the delay and anticipates considerable costs for the clean-up work. The historic canal is an important link for recreational boating in the north-west and must therefore be carefully maintained.