The Runde water system
The Runde and the Ruiten Aa originally formed a single water system with its source in the Bargerveen. The Runde was a moorland brook, lying on and in the peat layer which carried off surplus water from the raised bog in a northerly direction, turning into the Ruiten Aa. The Ruiten Aa eventually discharges into the Dollard. The link was broken by the construction of canals and the extraction of peat in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Ruiten Aa became an "amputated brook" and the Runde largely disappeared.
The link
The Runde and Ruiten Aa together form a link between the Natura 2000 areas of the Bargerveen and the Dollard. Restoration of this link not only facilitates the exchange of species between the two areas but the link will also form part of a transregional and transnational corridor which will ultimately link several different wetlands together. The possibility of linking the Bargerveen to a number of German raised bog areas is being examined in another context.
Project objectives
" improve quality of Bargerveen
" improve quantity of water available for nature, arable farming and horticulture
" improve water quality
" Restore original water management system
" restore/create wildlife corridor
" extend water system to the Dollard
" Landscape, heritage, recreation, tourism, economic development
Irrigation water
At certain times of year the Bargerveen has a water surplus. The water is of such good quality that it can be used for irrigation in the Klazienaveen horticulture complex. This will reduce the amount of groundwater which has to be pumped up. Based on a calculated water balance it is assumed that around 700,000 m3 water will be available annually for horticulture. For this reason the water management system is now being adapted so that the surplus water can run off from the Bargerveen through a system which is separate from the "agricultural water" to an irrigation reservoir near the glasshouse complex.
Separate the water
A collective reservoir will be created in the Runde valley zone between the existing and the new glasshouse area to receive the Bargerveen water and water run-off from glasshouse roofs. This reservoir will be integrated into a zone which will ensure a "green-blue veining" of the horticulture area, which will form part of the wildlife corridor.
Wildlife corridor
The design of the buffer zones (too wet for agriculture) and the creation of a watercourse to feed the irrigation reservoir is combined with the creation of a wildlife corridor. Measures include creating wildlife-friendly banks, and making canals and paths passable for animals and organisms.
Partners in the Runde
The project is initiated by the province of Drenthe, carried out by DLG a governmental executive agency of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. The water board Hunze en Aa's and the municipality Emmen also take part in this project.
The Runde and the Ruiten Aa originally formed a single water system with its source in the Bargerveen. The Runde was a moorland brook, lying on and in the peat layer which carried off surplus water from the raised bog in a northerly direction, turning into the Ruiten Aa. The Ruiten Aa eventually discharges into the Dollard. The link was broken by the construction of canals and the extraction of peat in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Ruiten Aa became an "amputated brook" and the Runde largely disappeared.
The link
The Runde and Ruiten Aa together form a link between the Natura 2000 areas of the Bargerveen and the Dollard. Restoration of this link not only facilitates the exchange of species between the two areas but the link will also form part of a transregional and transnational corridor which will ultimately link several different wetlands together. The possibility of linking the Bargerveen to a number of German raised bog areas is being examined in another context.
Project objectives
" improve quality of Bargerveen
" improve quantity of water available for nature, arable farming and horticulture
" improve water quality
" Restore original water management system
" restore/create wildlife corridor
" extend water system to the Dollard
" Landscape, heritage, recreation, tourism, economic development
Irrigation water
At certain times of year the Bargerveen has a water surplus. The water is of such good quality that it can be used for irrigation in the Klazienaveen horticulture complex. This will reduce the amount of groundwater which has to be pumped up. Based on a calculated water balance it is assumed that around 700,000 m3 water will be available annually for horticulture. For this reason the water management system is now being adapted so that the surplus water can run off from the Bargerveen through a system which is separate from the "agricultural water" to an irrigation reservoir near the glasshouse complex.
Separate the water
A collective reservoir will be created in the Runde valley zone between the existing and the new glasshouse area to receive the Bargerveen water and water run-off from glasshouse roofs. This reservoir will be integrated into a zone which will ensure a "green-blue veining" of the horticulture area, which will form part of the wildlife corridor.
Wildlife corridor
The design of the buffer zones (too wet for agriculture) and the creation of a watercourse to feed the irrigation reservoir is combined with the creation of a wildlife corridor. Measures include creating wildlife-friendly banks, and making canals and paths passable for animals and organisms.
Partners in the Runde
The project is initiated by the province of Drenthe, carried out by DLG a governmental executive agency of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. The water board Hunze en Aa's and the municipality Emmen also take part in this project.
The Netherlands
Drenthe
