Woudagemaal: largest steam pumping station in the world
Lemmer
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Information point Lemmer (Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal)
Information point Lemmer (Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal)
The Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal is the largest, still functioningĀ steam pumping stationĀ in the world. The Woudagemaal was opened in 1920 by Queen Wilhelmina, and its job was pumping excess water from Friesland into the Zuiderzee, and later into the IJsselmeer. In 1966, the Woudagemaal received reinforcement of the electric Hoogland pumping station in Stavoren. The Woudagemaal from 1920 is owned by Wetterskip FryslĆ¢n. At extremely high water, the historic steam pumping stationĀ is still usedĀ to discharge excess water into the IJsselmeer.
During the winters of the 19th and the first half of the 20th century, large parts of FryslĆ¢n were flooded. To counter this flooding, it was decided to build a steam pumping station at Lemmer in 1913. The pumping station is named after Ir. Dirk Frederik Wouda MSc, he served as Chief Engineer at the time of the Provincial Public Works and was responsible for the style and performance of the building. To this day, the Woudagemaal still plays a crucial role within the Frisian water authority!
Since 1998, the Woudagemaal has been one of the tenĀ UNESCO World Heritage sitesin the Netherlands. The steam pump station owes this not only to its important contribution within the Frisian water system, but also to the specialĀ architectureĀ and the unique application of steam power by Dutch water authority experts.
A unique day out
The Woudagemaal is owned by Wetterskip FryslĆ¢n, on average twice a year the pumping station is brought under steam, to train the operating staff in practice. In this way they can also guarantee the operation of the steam pumping station. It is a magisteric experience when the Woudagemaal is brought under steam. During this unique spectacle, steam, water and architecture come together. View ourĀ agendaĀ for the training days!
Even outside the unique steam spectacle, the Woudagemaal is a fun day out for both young and old. A visit to the Woudagemaal starts in the adjacent visitor center. Learn all about the richĀ historyĀ and operation of the Woudagemaal, or take a tour with one of our more than one hundred volunteers. There is also a ten-languageĀ audio tourĀ app available, allowing visitors to experience the different parts of the pumping station during the tour in their own language. Both the visitor center and the pumping station are accessible for wheelchairs.
The Woudagemaal also offers various arrangements for young and old, large or small groups and for different occasions. Experience the best day out in Woudagemaal in Lemmer! View ourĀ opening hoursĀ or buy your tickets online.
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The liberation of Friesland 1
The liberation of Friesland 1
In early April, it became clear that the liberation of Friesland was imminent. Although the province had not suffered a real Hunger Winter like other parts of the Netherlands, there were severe shortages of just about everything. And the terror of the occupying forces was growing. This also led to increased resistance against the occupying forces. The battle between the two was tougher than ever in early 1945.Ā Ā
In Friesland, assault groups known as Knokploegen (KP) were responsible for most acts of resistance. But there were other groups too. On the orders of the Dutch government in London, all these groups were merged into the Dutch Domestic Armed Forces (NBS). In Friesland, this happened on 12 December 1944.Ā
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The NBS, popularly referred to as the BS, gave the armed resistance an organisation with a clear structure. The NBS was also supposed to play a role in the upcoming liberation. To this end, resistance groups were provided with weapons from autumn 1944. These were dropped from the air. Ā
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On 8 April, Radio Orange broadcast the message "The bottle is empty." This was the signal for the NBS to start carrying out sabotage operations 36 hours later. The aim was to make it as difficult as possible for the Germans to defend themselves against the approaching Allied forces.Ā
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The resistance did this by putting bridges and railways out of order, blocking waterways and blocking roads.Ā The response of the occupying forces was ruthless.Ā In retaliation, dozens more prisoners were shot at different times and places.Ā ĀOnce the Canadians entered Friesland on 12 April, they were supported extremely effectively by the Frisian resistance. Because it was superbly organised, they were able to help the Canadians take control of important bridges, repair damaged bridges, and advise on the most favourable route.Ā Ā
By 18 April, the whole province was liberated except for the Wadden Islands (these were liberated in late May and in June). Compared to other provinces, there was little fighting in Friesland. Overall, the few thousand German troops who had been unable to flee Friesland were defeated by the Canadians relatively quickly.Ā Ā
The commander of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, Lieutenant Colonel Landell, praised the actions of the resistance by statingĀ "Friesland liberated herself." While that may be a bit of an exaggeration, the actions of the Frisian resistance undoubtedly accelerated the liberation. And reduced the number of casualties on the Allied side.Ā Ā
In confrontations with German troops and their Dutch accomplices, at least 31 resistance fighters lost their lives. On the Allied side, at least eleven Canadians and one Frenchman were killed. The fighting and shelling also resulted in dozens of civilian casualties. The number of casualties on the German side is not known, but probably ran into the hundreds.Ā With 320 houses destroyed and 4,000 damaged and 80 bridges destroyed, Friesland was materially the least damaged province in the Netherlands.Ā
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Fries Landbouwmuseum (Frisian Agricultural Museum)
Fries Landbouwmuseum (Frisian Agricultural Museum)
