Kielsterdiep
The Kielsterdiep (also called Kieldiep ) is a canal between the places Hoogezand and Annerveenschekanaal . It is a side channel of the Winschoterdiep . The Kielsterdiep was built in 1647 to reclaim the moor east of Kropswolde . Around 1738 it was connected to the Boven Kiel Canal . The village of Kiel-Windeweer was built along the canal . After the moor had been drained and the soil had been made usable for agriculture, the Kielsterdiep was mainly used for the transport of agricultural products to the starch and cardboard factories in the region. In 1973 shipping on the Kielsterdiep was stopped. Several bridges were replaced by dams .
In 2005 a revitalization project was started to make the Kielsterdiep navigable again. New bridges and locks will be built, existing ones made usable again or restored. This is all happening in order to open up the Kielsterdiep to recreational boating as part of a new shipping route from the Zuidlaardermeer to Ostgroningen.