away from the water streams. Water storage basins on the contrary give surface
water ample time to make it into the ground water, and additionally provide service
water in dry periods. Due to these measures, it is expected that the groundwater
level will rise, creating a water buffer for dry periods.
An example is the restructuring of the upper reaches of Snoeyinks brook. The
project area comprises a number of small upper tributaries that flow into the
Snoeyinks brook. The restoration of morphology and historical course of the river;
the creation of new natural areas (hornbeam, oak woodland and poor-quality
grassland); landscaping; recreational development, with access; and water management measures on farms and fields all contributed to making the area more
drought resilient, while also improving the recreational and natural value of the
area. The area is the property of Natuurmonumenten (“Nature Monuments”—Dutch
Nature Preservation Society), farmers, and other businesses nearby.
Another example is the restructuring of the upper reaches of Springendal brook.
This area is property of the State Forest Service (Staatsbosbeheer), nowadays
actually more an NGO than a state agency. Here, the project consisted of making
the brook bed shallower over approximately 300 m and altering its profile in
combination with the restructuring of the landscape.
The selection of these projects has been done quite pragmatic. On the one hand
they were identified with the help of a “desiccation map”. But this just led them to
contact relevant stakeholders there. On the basis of these stakeholder contacts, they
selected the plots where they could expect most support and collaboration to
develop pilots, being fully aware that being able to develop collaboration is the
“name of the game”. This way, nice examples are created that later act as marketing
to attract other land owners to volunteer. Also it is important to look from the other
side: which organizations have plans that are among others also helpful for drought
resilience. Joining, supporting and modifying such plans could be a very good way
to achieve goals, sometimes even better that starting with own plans.
9.3.2.2 Research Projects
Apart from implementation projects also research projects were part of the DROP
pilot in Vechtstromen. One of these projects involved the testing of a
level-dependent drainage system near a nature conservation area. Level-dependent
drainage implies that the land owner or tenant can to some extent influence the
water table by adjusting the drainage system. The advantage is that the table can be
temporarily lowered when for instance the farmer wants to work on the land with
machinery. This improves the farmer’s preparedness to accept higher water tables
than they would without a system they can influence themselves.
Many water managers see level-dependent drainage as the primary means of
preventing water depletion and of optimizing agricultural use of areas of land.
However, this idea lacks scientific underpinning. There is only limited knowledge
about the effects that level-dependent drainage has on nature. Therefore, we conducted a study in a nature area that is surrounded by water-depleted area of
188
H. Bressers et al.
water ample time to make it into the ground water, and additionally provide service
water in dry periods. Due to these measures, it is expected that the groundwater
level will rise, creating a water buffer for dry periods.
An example is the restructuring of the upper reaches of Snoeyinks brook. The
project area comprises a number of small upper tributaries that flow into the
Snoeyinks brook. The restoration of morphology and historical course of the river;
the creation of new natural areas (hornbeam, oak woodland and poor-quality
grassland); landscaping; recreational development, with access; and water management measures on farms and fields all contributed to making the area more
drought resilient, while also improving the recreational and natural value of the
area. The area is the property of Natuurmonumenten (“Nature Monuments”—Dutch
Nature Preservation Society), farmers, and other businesses nearby.
Another example is the restructuring of the upper reaches of Springendal brook.
This area is property of the State Forest Service (Staatsbosbeheer), nowadays
actually more an NGO than a state agency. Here, the project consisted of making
the brook bed shallower over approximately 300 m and altering its profile in
combination with the restructuring of the landscape.
The selection of these projects has been done quite pragmatic. On the one hand
they were identified with the help of a “desiccation map”. But this just led them to
contact relevant stakeholders there. On the basis of these stakeholder contacts, they
selected the plots where they could expect most support and collaboration to
develop pilots, being fully aware that being able to develop collaboration is the
“name of the game”. This way, nice examples are created that later act as marketing
to attract other land owners to volunteer. Also it is important to look from the other
side: which organizations have plans that are among others also helpful for drought
resilience. Joining, supporting and modifying such plans could be a very good way
to achieve goals, sometimes even better that starting with own plans.
9.3.2.2 Research Projects
Apart from implementation projects also research projects were part of the DROP
pilot in Vechtstromen. One of these projects involved the testing of a
level-dependent drainage system near a nature conservation area. Level-dependent
drainage implies that the land owner or tenant can to some extent influence the
water table by adjusting the drainage system. The advantage is that the table can be
temporarily lowered when for instance the farmer wants to work on the land with
machinery. This improves the farmer’s preparedness to accept higher water tables
than they would without a system they can influence themselves.
Many water managers see level-dependent drainage as the primary means of
preventing water depletion and of optimizing agricultural use of areas of land.
However, this idea lacks scientific underpinning. There is only limited knowledge
about the effects that level-dependent drainage has on nature. Therefore, we conducted a study in a nature area that is surrounded by water-depleted area of
188
H. Bressers et al.