Controlled drainage in the Netherlands revisited? An overview of recent developments in surface water level manipulation and results of case studies

In the Netherlands most Waterboards generally manipulate surface water levels in order to influence phreatic groundwater levels. The main aim is to improve working conditions for agricultural crop production. This type of water management is questioned because the hydrological effectiveness is rather low and it may lead to unwanted effects on aquatic ecosystems and on adjacent nature areas. Together with a tendency towards self-regulating systems, these unwanted effects may lead to the idea that partly or fully controlled drainage has become an anachronism. A number of developments ask for a r... Mehr ...