Drentsche Hoofdvaart

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Course of the Drentsche Hoofdvaart

The Drentsche Hoofdvaart (also Drentse Hoofdvaart ) is a canal in the Dutch province of Drenthe . The Drentsche Hoofdvaart has a length of 50 km and connects the Meppelerdiep canal near Meppel with the Noord-Willemskanaal near Assen .

The canal was built between 1767 and 1780. It should improve and complement the already existing Smildervaart . In 1780 the Drentsche Hoofdvart was extended to Assen.

The Frisian municipality of Appelscha is connected to the Drentsche Hoofdvaart via a connection, the Witten Wijk , to the Opsterlandse Compagnonsvaart canal . There are also connections to the Oranjekanal , Beilervaart and Norgervaart canals .

The Drentsche Hoofdvaart fulfills an important function in the drainage of the higher parts of Mitteldrenthe.

Originally the canal was mainly used to transport peat . In the first half of the 20th century, your other goods were added, mainly building materials that were transported on the canal by barge. The canal has been used for recreational boating for around 25 years.

Locks

The Drentsche Hoofdvaart still has six locks :

  • Veeneschleuse, north of Geeuwenbrug
  • Haarschleuse, south of Geeuwenbrug
  • Dieverschleuse, at Dieverbrug
  • Uffelterschleuse, at Uffelte
  • Pastoorschleuse, near Havelte
  • Paradijsschleuse, one kilometer north of Meppel

Over time, the Halfweg lock, the Wittelt lock and the Boskamp lock have fallen into disrepair.

bridges

The architect Santiago Calatrava created three bridges over the Hoofdvaart Canal. The three bridges react to the respective traffic-related issues of the location, form a design unit and are a trademark of the area. By varying the mast inclination and the arrangement of the guy lines, a varied play of shapes is created that is reminiscent of musical instruments.

Web links

Commons : Drentsche Hoofdvaart  - collection of images, videos and audio files