Level decisions
We set the water level for each area and have a so-called obligation of effort to maintain the established water level as well as possible. We set the ideal water level for each area in integral water level orders.
Balance of interests
Water management is a complex interplay of interests. Within one area, for example a polder, people use the land for various functions, such as housing, recreation, agriculture and industry. The inhabitants of such an area like to have a dry crawl space under their house, farmers in that same area want an ideal (ground) water level for their crops and nature managers may want to maintain the unique marsh vegetation, which requires relatively high water levels. In order to accommodate the various interests as much as possible, the land has been divided into many water level zones. In a water level decision we set the target level per water level area and the margins within which the water level may be set. The balance of interests between the various functions within a water level area is decisive.
How does a level decision come about?
A level decision goes through the following steps:
- When drawing up a water level decision, we assess the extent to which the currently established level is still the most desirable level for a water level area. In doing so, we take stock of the functions, stakeholders and interests in the area in question.
- We then examine whether these stakeholders have certain bottlenecks or desires that make changes in the established water level necessary or desirable. We examine these problems or wishes and include them in the consideration of interests. This consideration is presented in a report: the "explanation of the water level decision".
- Our executive board (D&H) adopts the draft level decision and explanatory statement.
- We are submitting the draft level decision and accompanying explanation to the public, via the website officielebekendmakingen.nl/. You then have six weeks to submit your views. We call this the public participation period.
- After processing these views, our General Board (CHI) adopts the level decision.
- You then have six weeks to appeal against the water level decision in court. If not, the water level decision will be irrevocable and we may begin preparations for implementation. If we do not have to carry out any works before setting the water level, the water level will be set immediately.
Current level decisions
Over the next few years we will be working on new water level orders for Zijpe, Callantsoog and Wieringen.
Established level decisions
An interactive Map is available with the adopted level decisions.
After 2017
You can find our recent level decisions in the official notices on the government website. The button below leads directly to our level orders. Use the search bar to find the water level decree for your polder.
Until 2017
Some older water level orders can be found below. Some files are too large for this website (> 20 MB) and can be requested via our contact form. These are the water level orders for the Amstelmeerboezem, Anna Paulowna, Geestmerambacht, Noord Kennemerland, Purmerend, Texel, Westerkogge, Wormer and Wijdewormer.
- Read aloud Assendelft with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Beemster with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Bosker Park with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Callantsoog with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Den Helder with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Edam Volendam Katwoude with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Eilandspolder-Mijzen and Kamerhop with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Hazepolder (Zijpe) with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Heerhugowaard with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud 't Hoekje with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud North Kennemerland 2000 with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud North Sea Canal polders with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Caps with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Screener with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Screen atrium and VRNK atrium with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud St. Maartenszee with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Starn Lake with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Four Noorder Koggen with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Waarland with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Water countries with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Westwouderpolder with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Westzaan with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Wieringen with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Zeevang with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Zijpe - AB department with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Zijpe - department C with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Zijpe - department D with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Zijpe - department E-I-K-P-W-Z-'t Zijpereiland with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Zijpe - department F with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Zijpe - H-ON department with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Zijpe - department I-south with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Zijpe - LQ department with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Zijpe - departments NG and ZG-ZM with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Zijpe - NMR department with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Zijpe - NS department with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Zijpe - OT-PV and O department with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Zijpe - area 2775 with ReadSpeaker docReader
Want to know more?
For further information about the level decisions, please use our contact form or call 072 - 582 8282.