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Marken Wadden are islands in the Markermeer. It is a project of artificial islands in what used to be the Zuiderzee and then the IJsselmeer. This part of the IJsselmeer is called Markermeer, where the polder Markerwaard was planned. That polder was not built, but the Marker Wadden was created. It is a project of Natuurmonumenten to create nature and to create places where recreation can take place, while at the same time making the Markermeer healthier. The first island will be opened to the public in 2018.
Artificial islands in the Markermeer
- Marker Wadden and Natuurmonumenten
- Boskalis builds with sludge
- Silt and suffocation and bird paradise
- Markermeer and IJmeer
- Water testing garden
- National Postcode lottery
- Opening marker wadden
Marker Wadden and Natuurmonumenten
The Marker Wadden are a series of nature islands that are raised in the Markermeer. The islands are sprayed on with sludge and in this way solve part of the sludge problem. The islands will have natural banks and thus enrich the Markermeer. The area must become an important impulse for the region: the Marker Wadden will be designed as a nature and recreation area. Natuurmonumenten is the initiator of the project that grows to 10,000 hectares. It is the largest nature restoration project in Western Europe.
Boskalis builds with sludge
The reclamation of the first island started in 2016. A dredger sprays sand, clay and silt 24 hours a day. Dredger Boskalis is carrying out the job and the first island appeared above water on 11 May 2016. The work is far from over, because the bump will still settle. There is still more work to be done to get a permanent island. Under the guise of ‘killing two birds with one stone’, the silt that lies at the bottom of the lake and that it does no good is used to spray the islands.
Build with sludge
It is expected that the Netherlands will receive worldwide attention with this build with sludge and that more assignments will result from this. The innovative technology could well become an important export product.
Silt and suffocation and bird paradise
The Markermeer is not doing very well, because there is too much silt on the bottom. That thick layer, a silt blanket, suffocates the system so much that there is hardly any plankton in the water, few fish and other small aquatic animals swim and there are hardly any birds. The equilibrium has been disturbed and it is expected that the construction of the islands will benefit nature, that a new equilibrium will arise. One even speaks of a bird paradise. The Marker Wadden will be located approximately four kilometers from the Houtribdijk.
Markermeer and IJmeer
The Markermeer has an area of 70,000 hectares. The lake was created by the construction of the IJsselmeer after the construction of the Houtribdijk between Enkhuizen and Lelystad. The Markermeer and the IJmeer, which borders the Markermeer, were closed in 1976. The water contains a lot of food and there is so much silt on the bottom that it has seriously deteriorated the water quality of the lake. That is why people started to think about adapting the area and in 2009, people thought aloud about a future-proof ecological system with healthy nature and opportunities for housing and expansion of water recreation.
The provinces of Flevoland and Noord-Holland gathered together with the national government and with regional and social parties and came up with the Marker Wadden project. That was launched in 2015. The governments and regional parties expect this project to be able to cope with climate change and to provide a solution for urbanization, infrastructure investments, economic growth and increasing recreation. The new nature islands will be accessible to nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts. There will be six islands and a swamp area with willow forests and reed beds.
Water testing garden
The Markermeer and the Marker Wadden will be a water testing ground. With the help of man and machine, a healthy balance is restored, good for plants, animals, water and people. It will be an area where mussel beds and spawning grounds will emerge again and where birds, fish and other animals on the shores and in the rough of the island will have a habitat where they can survive. Endangered animals and plants will benefit from this.
National Postcode lottery
The Marker Wadden is created through collaboration between many different parties, both public and private.
The initiator is Natuurmonumenten together with Rijkswaterstaat. The province of Flevoland, the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and finally the National Postcode Lottery are also involved. The fund suggested from the Dream Fund money available, of which the first island can be built. Financial resources are being sought for the construction of all islands, including through a fundraising campaign.
Marker Wadden
Anyone who wants to contribute can transfer money to
- IBAN number NL69 INGB 0000 0099 33
- in the name of Natuurmonumenten
- stating ?? Marker Wadden ??
Becoming a member of Natuurmonumenten also helps. That is possible for ?? 2.25 per month. Look for this on the website of Natuurmonumenten.
Opening marker wadden
The first island of the Marker Wadden archipelago will be opened on 8 September 2017. In the weekend of 8 and 9 September, the public can visit the newest part of the Netherlands. Natuurmonumenten organizes trips from Bataviahaven in Lelystad.
Marker Wadden
a. Houtribdijk
B.. Marker Wadden
C.. IJmeer
D.. Markermeer