The Kathammer or Katwouder Mill
The Kathammer or Katwoudermolen is a striking feature in the open landscape near Volendam. This national monument, dating from 1896, not only grinds using wind power, but also houses an electric pumping station. The mill operates regularly and can only be visited by groups by appointment.
Katwoude Polder
The Kathammer or Katwoudermolen drains the eastern part of the Katwoude polder, which covers approximately 520 hectares. The name of the mill is derived from aspects of the landscape: KAT means bumpy peatland, and HAM stands for uitham in the sea (Zuiderzee).
From the polder (1.95 m below sea level), the water is metre at least 1.7 metre and then discharged into the Markermeer via a drainage sluice. The polder consists of raised bogs. Over the centuries, the soil slowly subsided due to the compaction and oxidation of the peat. This made it increasingly difficult to discharge the water naturally (from high to low) into the Zuiderzee at low tide. In 1650, a paddle wheel mill was built to pump the water upwards, the Hogendijkse Molen. In 1663, the Katwoude polder was cut through by the tow canal between Edam and Amsterdam. After this, the mill only drained the eastern part of the polder. For the western part of the polder, the Katwoude-Lagendijk polder, a new paddle wheel mill was built on the tow canal in 1665.
Fire
On December 5, 1895, the Hogendijkse Mill burned down after being struck by lightning. The mill was inhabited by the miller and his family. Unfortunately, his daughter did not survive the strike and the miller was injured. Because a steam pumping station was too expensive at the time, a new mill was built in 1896. It was erected on the eight old masonry piers (wall dams) of its predecessor, which had survived the fire. The mill was equipped with a steel screw pump, which was very modern for its time. Due to the fire hazard, the miller no longer lived in the mill, but in the newly built miller's house next door, which was still standing.
In 1911, a centrifugal pump powered by an oil engine was installed in the mill. The sails were no longer needed. Later, around 1930, the hull was sawn off to the attic.
Wind and electric propulsion
During the1980s, the tide turned for the dismantled mill. The Katwoude polder had since been absorbed into the large Waterlanden Water Board, which began a major restoration in 1987. Due to its special historical and scenic value, it was decided to rebuild the mill. The octagonal tower was extended to its original height and fitted with a new cap and sails. As a result, the mill is once again able to drain the polder using wind power.
In addition, the mill has since housed an electric screw pump. This is located under the wooden floor. The pump switches on automatically when the water level in the polder is too high. It is not possible to grind using both wind power and the electric motor at the same time.
The screw, with a diameter of 1.85 m, is visible in the mill through a glass panel. There are flood gates at the top of the screw. These gates prevent high water from flowing back into the polder.
Mill biotope
The mill biotope is the area surrounding the mill. The biotope of the Kathammer or Katwoudermolen mill is very good. There are no tall trees or buildings in the vicinity, allowing the mill to turn effectively in the wind.
Extra
- EXPO on the reinforcement of the Markermeer dikes, Hoogedijk 1d in Katwoude
- Katwoude dyke reinforcement
- Whispering Windmills North Holland
- Whispering Windmills podcast series
- To the north lies a nature reserve, theHeitje van Katham: The Heitje van Katham is located very close to the fishing village of Volendam. Here, a peat heath unique to North Holland has developed on an overgrown ditch with very special flora.
- Originally a 17th-century drainage lock on the east side. The lock gates will be replaced in 2022.
- Eel route
The preservation of the mill is made possible in part by the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands and the province of North Holland.