Zeeland consists for 40% out of water and this combination of water and land creates the most beautiful landscapes. Experience various water sports on Veerse Meer or Grevelingen Meer or go sailing on Oosterschelde. Ranging from seahorses and the horned slimefish to shipwrecks and water plants; while diving, you will discover the fascinating underwater world. Or you could see the different plants, birds and other animals in Oosterschelde National Park, the largest national park in the Netherlands!
Grevelingenmeer
The Grevelingen, Europe's largest saltwater lake, is located between Zeeland and South Holland. The water is clear blue and very popular with sport divers. The construction of the Brouwers Dam in 1971 closed the passage to the North Sea. Sandbanks that used to be under water now remain dry, creating a new nature with pioneer plants. The Grevelingenmeer is also a crucial habitat for spoonbills, voles, egrets and flamingos.
Fun fact
In summer, flamingos stay in Zwillbrocker Venn, a lake just across the border in Germany, where they lay eggs and breed. The lake consists of fresh water, and because of this it freezes in the winter. Therefore, the colourful birds migrate to the salty Grevelingenmeer from October.
Oosterschelde National Park
The Oosterschelde was not even a big river in the past. Due to sanding, land impoldering and the construction of dykes, the area around the Oosterschelde expanded tremendously. The construction of the Delta Works in 1986, for instance, turned the Oosterschelde estuary into a shallow estuary. The tide causes as much as one-third of this estuary to run dry during low tide.
The unique combination of fresh and salt water and the constantly changing landscape create an ideal environment for the thousands of birds, marine wildlife and plants. Oosterschelde National Park is part of the Natura 2000 areas, a network of important (protected) nature areas throughout Europe.
Improved mobility and new natural reserves
The Delta Works do more than protection against the sea. By connecting the islands of Zeeland and South Holland with each other and with the mainland, they also contribute to improved mobility. Furthermore, the Delta Works have created new wildlife and recreational areas. For instance, the Veerse Meer was created by the construction of the Zandkreek Dam and the Veerse Gat Dam.
In the middle of the Oosterschelde storm surge barrier is former construction island Deltapark Neeltje Jans. Parts of the barrier were built on this site. Now it is a nature reserve with extensive beaches, a beautiful view of the Oosterschelde barrier and a dune area where many birds breed. Deltapark Neeltje Jans is located right on the outskirts of the island. This amusement park is all about water and the Delta Works.
If you want to learn more about the Delta Works, be sure to visit the Watersnoodmuseum. This is where you will learn all about the night of the disaster "Watersnoodramp", the Delta Works and how we deal with rising sea levels today.