Bordering lakes

In the Netherlands, the bordering lakes (in Dutch: Randmeren) form a chain of lakes which separate the Flevopolder from the ancient lands of the provinces of Gelderland and Utrecht and the Noordoostpolder.

Strictly speaking, these are not several lakes, separated from each other, but a large body of water between the old and the new polder lands, divided by their name in several lakes. The "edge of a lake" may be a bridge, a lock or nothing material.

The purpose of these lakes is to isolate the management of water of the polder land to the surrounding old land. When making a polder, the ground level is below the ground level of the surrounding area. When connected directly to the polder, the water level of ancient lands declines, this causes a drying of the soil. This was observed in the Noordoostpolder, Overijssel and Friesland to the east and between the Wieringermeerpolder and North Holland.

In addition, water flow to the new polder lands, creating a very wet area, especially at the edges of the polder. The drainage may be a solution, but this only increases the problems of ancient lands. By creating a bordering lake large enough between polder and land, pressure and water level of the "continent" remain the same. The water management of the polder will be independent.

Historically, this technique has not been applied to the Noordoostpolder and to the Wieringermeer. Studies were conducted to create the bordering lake to separate polder from the old land. For the Noordoostpolder, the project was abandoned because it was too expensive. The project Wieringerrandmeer between the Wieringermeer and Wieringen is still under discussion with the province of North Holland.

The bordering lakes surrounding the Flevopolder offer many opportunities such as water sports and for the creation of Nature reserves.

On an early project by Lely, the bordering lakes may be seen around each new polder

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List of the bordering lakes along the Flevopolder

From south-west to the north:

• IJmeer
• Gooimeer
• Eemmeer
• Nijkerkernauw
• Nuldernauw
• Wolderwijd
• Veluwemeer
• Drontermeer
• Ketelmeer