Winschoterdiep
Encyclopedia
Canal
Canals are man-made channels for water. There are two types of canal:#Waterways: navigable transportation canals used for carrying ships and boats shipping goods and conveying people, further subdivided into two kinds:...
in the province Groningen
Groningen (province)
Groningen [] is the northeasternmost province of the Netherlands. In the east it borders the German state of Niedersachsen , in the south Drenthe, in the west Friesland and in the north the Wadden Sea...
of the Netherlands. It leads to the Rensel, which is actually part of this canal. Construction was started in 1618 and finished in 1634. The Winschoterdiep's total length is 35.5 kilometres, and it is approximately 100 metres in width. Sixteen bridge
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
s and locks
Lock (water transport)
A lock is a device for raising and lowering boats between stretches of water of different levels on river and canal waterways. The distinguishing feature of a lock is a fixed chamber in which the water level can be varied; whereas in a caisson lock, a boat lift, or on a canal inclined plane, it is...
are built across this canal, as well as many other passages. Ships must be less than 16 m in breadth to pass through some of these. It is one of the oldest canals ever built in Groningen
Groningen (province)
Groningen [] is the northeasternmost province of the Netherlands. In the east it borders the German state of Niedersachsen , in the south Drenthe, in the west Friesland and in the north the Wadden Sea...
still in use. In the section between Hoogezand
Hoogezand
Hoogezand is a village in the municipality Hoogezand-Sappemeer, located in the principality Groningen in northeast Netherlands. The name refers to a higher sanded place in the peatlands cut through when the Winschoterdiep channel was dug. Near this channel in 1618 the village was founded.In the...
and Waterhuizen, there are several shipwharfs. Hoogezand
Hoogezand
Hoogezand is a village in the municipality Hoogezand-Sappemeer, located in the principality Groningen in northeast Netherlands. The name refers to a higher sanded place in the peatlands cut through when the Winschoterdiep channel was dug. Near this channel in 1618 the village was founded.In the...
was founded near the canal in 1618.
Where the canal runs through the municipality of Menterwolde
Menterwolde
- Population centres :* Borgercompagnie* Meeden* Muntendam* Noordbroek* Tripscompagnie* Zuidbroek...
, there is significant water-sport activity in season.