Spaarwater Flevoland

Flevoland is just as important today to arable farming in the Netherlands as it was in 1986, when the province was officially established. The Province of Flevoland still accounts for 12% of arable farming in the Netherlands, and 21% of the land area is used to cultivate seed potatoes. The area has quite a reputation as one of the best farmlands in Europe and is an important driver of the region’s economy. From a hydrologic point of view, a combination of proper drainage and access to fresh water is essential in order to preserve and strengthen this quality. As Flevoland is characterized by soil subsidence and the water system is nearing exhaustion in several aspects, measures will have to be taken.

Well-known measures such as groundwater level lowering in subsidence areas are no match for a robust water system. Groundwater lowering is an intervention that cannot be reversed and leads to fragmentation of the water system. Moreover, it leads to accelerated subsidence, increased seepage and possibly deterioration of the water quality. The Spaarwater Flevoland project therefore aims to find measures that can be implemented within the plot (plot hydrology) using system-specific drainage. This type of drainage increases the water storage capacity, decreases water demand and curbs land subsidence.

System-specific drainage is a future-resilient drainage system that serves several purposes:

•  Prevention of wetting damage through sufficient drainage

•  Prevention of drought and salt damage through sufficient access to fresh water

•  Prevention or reduction of land subsidence

•  Optimal drainage conditions under normal circumstances

The system is equipped with a telemetry system for remote monitoring by farmers of groundwater levels, salt content and drainage. Based on this information, farmers can adjust their drainage levels.

System-specific drainage

In 2016, two plots were equipped with system-specific drainage to study whether it was possible to reduce peat oxidation. The Spaarwater (Water Savings) study develops new knowledge on drainage. The experience gained on the plots in Friesland and Groningen is now combined with the local situation in Flevoland. The opportunities of functionally linking soil and water management are studied during Spaarwater II using field measurements and model studies.