Drought 2026: Questions and Answers
Drought 2026
What is a grazing ban?
A grazing ban means that tenants are no longer allowed to let their livestock graze on our dikes.
Why is this ban being proposed?
Due to intensive grazing by livestock combined with the drought, the grass is unable to grow fast enough before the storm season begins. Grass cover needs time to recover. A healthy grass cover is necessary to keep the flood barrier (dike) sturdy. During a storm, when water overflows the dike, the grass cover protects the dike from erosion. By enforcing the grazing ban, we ensure that the dike remains robust and, as a result, the hinterland remains protected this coming winter.
Under normal conditions (when there is no drought), grazing is a common method of maintaining the grass cover on levees.
When does the grazing ban take effect?
This is not yet known.
Why is evening watering recommended?
In the evening, temperatures are lower and there is less evaporation.
Why was the HHNK crisis response team expanded?
Due to the ongoing drought, the nationwide escalation to “de facto water shortage” / Phase 2, and preparations for measures that may be required, HHNK is escalating to Alert Phase 2. This will enable us to implement the measures we are currently preparing more quickly if necessary.
What is salinization?
Salinization is the increase in salinity in the soil, groundwater, and surface water. Salinization occurs due to the intrusion of seawater (external); seawater that enters the water system via surface water through, for example, river estuaries, locks, and/or fish passages. In addition, there is internal salinization; salty or brackish groundwater that rises as seepage water and, as a result, enters the soil and the groundwater and surface water.
Salinization occurs in our region along the coast and in areas that used to have brackish or saltwater before they were drained or reclaimed. As a result, the soil contains brackish or saltwater.
How does salinization occur during dry periods?
Because we in Hollands Noorderkwartier live largely on what was once the seabed, the soil is relatively salty. Having enough fresh water in our ditches prevents this salt from seeping upward. During periods of drought, the soil and ditches can become salinated. As soon as there is less fresh water in the ditches, the salty seepage can rise and cause the water in the ditches to become saltier. This is harmful to agriculture and nature.
How does HHNK ensure there is water in the ditch when it doesn't rain?
We draw water from the IJsselmeer and Markermeer at various locations. The water we draw in is distributed throughout our area via an advanced system of ditches, weirs, and pumping stations. This ensures that our ditches and canals have an adequate supply of clean water.
The IJsselmeer and Markermeer are our most important freshwater reserves, from which we draw water. The water travels a long way before it reaches our country. Water flows from the Swiss Alps via the major rivers, passing through Germany via the Rhine and the IJssel, and into these lakes. The inflow is under pressure due to a lack of precipitation and less snowfall last winter, but the lakes remain sufficiently full for now.
In addition, we are not the only region that uses water from the IJsselmeer region. This is an important source of freshwater for the entire northern Netherlands. Agreements have therefore been made regarding the maximum amount of water each region is allowed to withdraw.
General
Where can I track the drought?
Through our live blog atwww.hhnk.nl, we’ll keep you updated on the drought situation in Hollands Noorderkwartier.
You can check the national drought monitor at every day.
What is a precipitation deficit?
A precipitation deficit is the difference between expected evaporation and measured precipitation. When calculating a precipitation deficit or surplus, all water boards use the agricultural calendar, which begins on April 1. At that point, we reset the counter to zero. From then on, it’s a matter of adding and subtracting. We add every millimeter of precipitation and subtract every millimeter of evaporation. The result of that calculation indicates a precipitation deficit or surplus. On dry days, surface water evaporates and the land dries out. On a long, warm, sunny summer day, about 5 millimeters evaporate per 24-hour period. The sun is high in the sky then and has a greater impact. In early spring and fall, evaporation is much lower.
What are the consequences of a precipitation deficit?
Dikes are made of various types of soil, such as clay, sand, and sometimes peat. A good dike is a damp one. Rain nourishes a dike. During a long, dry period, dikes may develop cracks. Because water sometimes seeps in through these cracks, wet (weaker) spots can form on the dike. Dikes that dry out may become less strong.
During a dry spell, water evaporates—not only from the ditch, but also from the fields. This has consequences for farmers, for our gardens, for nature, and also for the life in the ditch.
When the water in the ditch warms up, blue-green algae bloom, reducing the oxygen levels in the water and putting fish at risk of suffocation.
Because we in Hollands Noorderkwartier live largely on what was once the seabed, the soil is relatively salty. Sufficient fresh water in our ditches prevents this salt from seeping upward. During periods of drought, the soil and ditches can become salinated. The salinity in ditches and ponds then increases. This is harmful to agriculture and nature.
What does the water board do during a drought?
Normally, the water board uses pumping stations to discharge excess water from our low-lying service area into the IJsselmeer and Markermeer. That’s not necessary right now. In fact, there’s actually a greater need for water than what’s falling from the sky.
The water board is leaving locks or weirs slightly open at numerous locations along the IJsselmeer and Markermeer. This allows water to flow into the Noorderkwartier through our extensive network of ditches. The base of the dikes remains supplied with water, the ditches stay at the proper level, the ditch water is refreshed slightly, and farmers can use the ditch water for their crops.
As the precipitation deficit increases, our field staff closely monitor the condition of the dikes. We start with the dikes most vulnerable to drought, which are partly composed of peat. These dikes are more susceptible to drying out than those built entirely of clay. When the precipitation deficit reaches 225 millimeters, we assess whether concrete measures are necessary. We then decide whether our inspectors should go out to inspect our drought-sensitive dikes. This has happened recently. Approximately 65 kilometre dikes were inspected. Drones can also be used to detect cracks. When the precipitation deficit reaches 275 millimeters, approximately 495 kilometre are inspected. This allows us to identify drought-related damage to our dikes—such as cracks, wet spots, deformation, and dried-out grass—in a timely manner. If necessary, measures are taken or the dikes are monitored more closely. This is how we ensure safe dikes and keep residents’ feet dry.
What is a water shortage?
A water shortage is different from a precipitation shortage, but it also contributes to the overall drought. A water shortage means that the demand for water (for example, from the agricultural sector or industry) exceeds the supply. Currently, there is no water shortage, because the inflow from the rivers into the Markermeer and IJsselmeer is still sufficient to allow us to draw enough water from those lakes into our region. This enables us to meet the demand for water at this time.
Nevertheless, the area is very dry due to the lack of rainfall.
Dikes
When will the water board inspect the dikes?
As the precipitation deficit increases, our field staff closely monitor the condition of the dikes. We start with the dikes most vulnerable to drought, which are partly composed of peat. These dikes are more susceptible to drying out than those made entirely of clay.
If the precipitation deficit exceeds 225 mm, we will consider conducting actual inspections of the dikes. In that case, approximately 65 kilometre drought-sensitive dikes will be inspected first. This was recently carried out by HHNK. These dikes are located primarily in the Waterland region. They are very old dikes, often with a peat core and a clay cap. If the drought persists, other dikes may also be considered for inspection (495 kilometre total). This approach ensures that drought-related damage to our dikes—such as cracks, wet spots, deformation, and dried-out grass—is identified in a timely manner. If necessary, measures are taken or the dikes are monitored more closely. This is how we ensure safe dikes and keep residents’ feet dry.
How does the water board inspect the dikes?
Our area managers and maintenance staff conduct inspections in pairs. We also use drones to detect and monitor cracks. This is only possible if cracks are visible from above, when there is no tall grass or mowed grass on the dike. We use monitoring wells to measure the groundwater level in the dike, so we know how dry it is inside the dike itself.
Locks
How does the water board ensure there is water in the ditch when it doesn't rain?
At various locations throughout our area, we draw water from the IJsselmeer and Markermeer. The water we draw in spreads throughout our area via a system of ditches, weirs, and pumping stations. This ensures that there is sufficient, clean water in the ditches and canals.
The IJsselmeer and Markermeer are our freshwater reserves, from which we can draw water. Water flows into the Netherlands via the major rivers, primarily from Germany. The IJsselmeer and Markermeer are mainly fed by the IJssel River. For the time being, the inflow from this river remains sufficient.
Since the water level in these lakes is higher than the polder water levels, the water flows naturally into the ditches and canals. To increase this freshwater supply and speed up the inflow, Rijkswaterstaat recently raised the water levels in the IJsselmeer and Markermeer. Rijkswaterstaat is doing this by discharging less water from the IJsselmeer into the Wadden Sea.
Why does the water board let water in?
Normally, excess water in the low-lying areas of North Holland is drained through ditches to the pumping stations, so that our feet stay dry. Because of the drought, we’re now letting water in, because otherwise our feet would be too dry. Water in the ditches is necessary for many reasons. A lower water level in the ditches means farmers have less water available to irrigate their crops—especially since it’s currently the growing season. A lower water level also causes the adjacent land to dry out more easily. Furthermore, the ditches then contain less oxygen and warm up more quickly, which has major consequences for plants and animals. The banks of ditches that run dry can easily erode. Finally, filled ditches provide counterpressure against saltwater seepage. Without that pressure, saltwater seepage would rise from deeper layers of the earth and cause the land to become saline.
What can I do myself to combat drought?
The drought continues, and the precipitation deficit is increasing in North Holland. As a result, water will become scarce in the short term. HHNK is appealing to all residents and farmers who irrigate their gardens and fields. Deputy Water Board Chair Klazien Hartog: “Irrigating during the day causes a lot of evaporation. To make the available water last longer and be used more sustainably, I urgently call on farmers to irrigate their fields at the end of the day or in the evening; this will prevent additional evaporation. Only by all of us—including residents—using as little surface water as possible can we delay the moment when we run into trouble.”
See the page " What Can You Do Yourself to Combat Drought?"