At Workum, three projects are cleverly combined. A breakwater will be constructed, the recreational water will be deepened, and the sand removed from the recreational water will be used to reinforce the Warkumerwaard:
Construction of breakwater It Soal:
A second breakwater will be built near the beach and recreational water, parallel to the other breakwater adjacent to the Stoenckherne nature reserve. The new breakwater ensures the shipping channel does not silt up, maintaining better water depth for navigation. A concrete path will be laid on the breakwater, used as a walking path. Additionally, four fishing platforms will be installed for anglers. The contractor will also build a trailer ramp for small boats on hand trailers. Work on the breakwater starts on March 16 and will be completed by this summer.
Improving depth in the recreational water:
The water near the beach will be deepened to approximately 1.40 meters. This will allow (kite)surfers and swimmers to better enjoy recreation. The sand released will be used to restore the Warkumerwaard. Work on the recreational water will take place from summer 2026 and is scheduled until the end of 2026, possibly extending into spring 2027.
Nature restoration Warkumerwaard
The nature reserve will be reinforced and restored over a length of about 2 kilometers. Using the sand released from the recreational water, a sand plateau with varying heights about 200 meters wide will be created. Shell banks will be placed in several locations to protect the area against erosion. On the north side, a stone dam will be built to hold the sand within the area. Work on the nature reserve will take place from summer 2026 until the end of 2026, with possible extension into spring 2027.
Closures
During the works, parts of the area will be closed. During the first works on the breakwater (March – summer 2026), the beach itself will not yet be closed, only the path at the southern tip towards Kanaal It Soal. During the first part of the works on the recreational water near the beach (from summer 2026), the south side of the beach will be closed and the northern half open. Then the northern half will be closed and the southern half open. Thus, part (half of the beach) will always remain open for recreation. Visitors are requested to pay close attention to signs and fences and not enter closed-off areas for safety reasons.
Strengthening Frisian IJsselmeer Coast
It Soal near Workum is one of the largest subprojects of Strengthening Frisian IJsselmeer Coast. After earlier completion of the swimming ladder in Laaksum, the De Mokkebank nature reserve near Laaksum, the renovation of the Makkumer Noordwaard and the Plattedijk near Lemmer, this is one of the next projects.
Partners
Strengthening Frisian IJsselmeer Coast is a collaborative project between the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the region. Regionally, it involves cooperation between the province of Fryslân, the municipalities of Súdwest-Fryslân and De Fryske Marren, It Fryske Gea, Bird Protection Netherlands, and the National Postcode Lottery. These organizations work on erosion measures and improving ecological water quality. The national government allocated over €13 million for Strengthening Frisian IJsselmeer Coast. The region added another €5 million. The works at Workum are carried out by contractor Van Oord in cooperation with contractor Van der Meer.
More information: www.frieseijsselmeerkust.frl.