Volkerak, body of water in the Netherlands
The Volkerak is a large freshwater reservoir in the Netherlands, located between several regions and islands, controlled by dams and locks. The water surface is flat and open, with grassy banks and few trees, creating a wide and spacious landscape.
The Volkerak formed after the great storm of 1421, which turned the landscape into a vast inland sea for centuries, shaped by tides from the North Sea. In 1987, it was separated from the sea by dams and converted into a freshwater reservoir to protect the region from flooding.
The Volkerak is a place where local people have built their lives around water management and fishing. You see small boats, fishing activities, and ports that reflect how the community depends on and relates to this body of water.
The Volkerak is best explored by boat, since the banks are flat and open with various landing points along the way. The locks at Willemstad allow boats to pass between different water areas, and there are several spots along the shores for walking or fishing.
The Volkerak was originally a tidal water body connected directly to the North Sea with salt water, until its closure in 1987 converted this dynamic system into a stable freshwater reservoir. Today, there are plans to partially restore it to saltwater to bring back biodiversity and improve water quality.
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