Amsterdam years
Leeghwater's move to Amsterdam in 1640 is probably related to the completion of his work in the Starnmeer. The reclamation of this lake was originally a project of the village of De Rijp, but changed hands that year. Moreover, the Starnmeer was the last lake of any size. Around De Rijp there was not much for him to do after that. In the Amstel town, Leeghwater focused more intensely on other jobs. He had already made a chime for the church in De Rijp and in Amsterdam he cast carillons for the Wester- and Zuiderkerk. After construction on the new city hall - now the Palace on Dam Square - began in 1648, Leeghwater hired himself out as a mason. He remained active in hydraulic engineering, however, and in July 1649, for example, he issued a recommendation for a new drainage through the dunes to the North Sea at Petten.