under steam...

LemmerWetterskip Fryslân sets the historic Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal in Lemmer in operation to remove excess water from the Frisian basin, the system of lakes and canals in Fryslân.

Pumps
A lot of rain has fallen in recent days. A lot of precipitation is also expected in the coming days. Due to the strong wind, there are limited options for draining water to the Wadden Sea. That is why the water board is using the extra pumping capacity of the Woudagemaal.

70 millimeters of rain
In the past week about 70 millimeters of precipitation fell in Fryslân. Normally such a quantity is spread over a month. A lot of precipitation is also expected for the coming days. Due to the dry summer, the still-dry soil partly absorbs the rain. But because with such a large amount of precipitation, the top soil layer saturates in a short time, the polder pumping stations drain excess water to the storage basin. This increases the water level on the Frisian bosom and requires extra drainage.

Flushing and pumps
Wetterskip Fryslân regulates the water level in the Frisian bosom by discharging water through drain sluices to the Lauwersmeer and the Wadden Sea in case of a lot of precipitation. In addition, the water board is pumping water with the electric Hoogland pumping station (Stavoren) to the IJsselmeer and with the De Heining pumping station (near Marrum) to the Wadden Sea. The water board occasionally uses the Woudagemaal to support the Hoogland pumping station. At high water levels on the sea, the water board can discharge to a limited extent and additional pumping capacity is required. The Woudagemaal pumps excess water to the IJsselmeer.
Woudagemaal under steam
Preparations in the Woudagemaal in Lemmer have now started. The operators heat the steam boilers until sufficient pressure has been built up to run the pumping station. This is expected to be Tuesday at the end of the afternoon.