Record High Groundwater Levels and Rainfall Cause Flooding in Netherlands, But Nature Thrives: Expert

Feb 25, 2024 at 4:28 PM Update: an hour ago

The wetness of recent months has caused locally flooded football fields, closed cycle paths and wet cemeteries. “But this is only good news for nature,” professor Marc Bierkens told NU.nl.

Due to the rain of recent months, groundwater levels are still high in many places in the Netherlands. “In fact, they are higher than they have been in years,” says Bierkens, professor of Geographic Hydrology at the University of Utrecht. And it looks like it will continue to rain for a while.

Whether high groundwater levels and heavy rainfall cause problems depends on the location. If the groundwater is shallow – so just below the surface – in a residential area, this can be annoying, for example. Bierkens: “Then you have water in your crawl space.” This could cause mold to grow.

How (shallow) deep the groundwater is and how easily rainwater can drain away partly depends on the type of soil. At the moment, Bierkens does not see any major problems in that regard. “But there could be a problem in a month if it continues to rain like it is now.” This especially applies to areas with a soil of clay, peat or loam. These types of land are mainly found in the west and north of the Netherlands.

For example, clay retains water very well and does not allow extra water to pass through very well. “Then you get a structure that you simply sink into,” says Bierkens. “Then farmers cannot enter the fields with tractors.” It would therefore be nice for agriculture on so-called heavier clay-rich soils if a somewhat drier period arrives soon.

Wetness in the Netherlands

In various places in the Netherlands, people locally suffer from wetness due to high groundwater levels and rain showers. For example, a playground in IJmuiden will remain closed for longer due to enormous puddles. Local football clubs cannot play on Texel and Vlieland because their fields are too wet and in Hollands Kroon freshly dug graves have to be emptied.

Last year was a record year in terms of wetness and the new year also started rainy. A lot of rain fell not only in the Netherlands, but also in neighboring countries. That water partly came through the Netherlands via the major rivers such as the IJssel. But that water doesn’t just disappear. “The systems are well full,” says a spokesperson for the Union of Water Boards.

The football field on Vlieland is flooded. Photo: Kim Einder

‘We see the wet winter as a blessing’

But nature organizations are so far very happy with the extra water. “For now, we only see this wet winter as a blessing,” says hydrologist Rob van Dongen of Staatsbosbeheer. “For example, we see streams flowing in the Veluwe in places where we have not seen water for a long time.”

Natuurmonumenten notices the same. In the Loonse and Drunense Dunes, for example. The lowlands in the area are all under water, something that has not happened for thirty years.

“We see that the groundwater reservoirs have all been replenished,” says forester and spokesperson Sanne van Gemerden. For example, she is happy with the groundwater level in the Dwingelderveld in Drenthe. “We actually haven’t seen that in the last three to four years.”

Bierkens confirms that the extra water is especially nice for areas with many sandy soils. Such as Drenthe, Brabant, Gelderland and Overijssel. “Those areas are very much affected by drought.” With the buffers that are now in place, the areas can cope better with a dry period. “On the Veluwe you can enjoy this for more than a year,” Bierkens thinks.

Show only the ImageShow only the Image Wet lows in the Loonse and Drunense dunes in December 2023 by Irma de Potter Natuurmonumenten

Hold water for as long as possible

“It is a very nice stock,” says Staatsbosbeheer hydrologist Van Dongen. “We also try to retain the water as much as possible.” Natuurmonumenten has also been focusing on water retention for a number of years due to the increasing drought. Ditches are closed, ditches are made shallower and streams meander through the landscape again. “So the water moves through the area more slowly.”

Van Gemerden hopes that water boards and farmers also attach importance to water retention. “Because you don’t know when new water will come again. It’s gone.” Because of the manure season, she fears that farmers will ask the water boards to lower the water level, otherwise they will get stuck in the muddy fields with their slurry trucks.

“We understand that, of course, but we also see it as a pitfall,” says Van Gemerden. “In recent years, farmers had to irrigate a lot because the groundwater was so low.”

Affecting the groundwater level

Moreover, the groundwater level is not very easy to influence. “There is no button,” says a spokesperson for the Union of Water Boards. Water boards can influence the water level of surface water, such as in streams and ditches. This indirectly affects the groundwater. “Surface water can be pumped or removed in a day, but with high groundwater levels it can sometimes take weeks for it to subside.”

“That does not mean that we should want to do anything about it,” Bierkens responds to the high groundwater levels. Instead, he wants more space for groundwater so that we can use it during dry periods. “That is not possible in the western Netherlands, unless you give up polders completely.”

That is why he mainly looks to the east. There is plenty of room for water storage on the sandy soils. It is also important to take into account the way you use certain locations. For example, it is not smart to build houses in places where it can naturally become very wet.

Outgoing Minister Mark Harbers (Infrastructure and Water Management) had already a plan ready to provide sufficient water and healthy soil. According to Bierkens, this could provide a solution to the nitrogen problem, poor water quality and the effects of climate change, such as drought and flooding. “Whether this will be addressed depends on the next cabinets.”

Bierkens fears that the plans will remain shelved. “But it is desperately needed.” The current wet period proves this once again for him.

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2024-02-25 15:28:46


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