The water level is a problem, reaching a record high on the Overijsselse Vecht

Water in the Vecht and IJssel rivers is expected to continue to rise slowly until later today or tomorrow. The peak has already passed the Salandse wetteringen, which, among other things, is responsible for the rising water levels in Zwolle.

Eleven of the twenty-five water councils have been expanded to properly coordinate the additional (preventive) deployment of people and resources. For example, the dams in the Salandse wetteringen area are checked daily.

At the dams along the Fisht Canal and the Drainage Canal, the “Dam Army” – made up of volunteer dam monitors trained to inspect vulnerable places and damage to dams – is deployed “on a one-time, preventive basis.”

Not everywhere

In the Drents Overijsselse Delta Water Board, there are fewer concerns about the water level. It didn't rain much there yesterday and today.

Water levels are also falling in Honze and Aa in the provinces of Groningen and Drenthe, although more rain is expected there. The drains in Delfzijl and Nieuwe Statenzijl are entirely used for water drainage.

Additional pumps are being used to lower the water level, but this is happening slowly, according to the Water Board. The valve dams in the Zuidlaardermeer will therefore remain high for a while.

What is the normal water level in Amsterdam (NAP)?

To compare heights within the Netherlands, a zero point is used: the Normal Amsterdam Level (NAP). The NAP height of 0 m is approximately equal to the mean sea level in the North Sea. All elevations in the Netherlands are measured relative to the same level.

Based on this zero point, it has also been calculated, for example, that the highest point in the Netherlands is at Drielandenpunt in Vaals, at 322.38 meters above the NAP. The lowest point is at Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel (6.78 meters below sea level). The highest and lowest points were re-established by the Rijkswaterstaat at the end of 2017.