In early 2025, Rijkswaterstaat constructed a nature-friendly bank in the Kleine Noorder IJplas to improve the ecological water quality in the North Sea Canal area. The area has now become much more attractive for bottom-dwelling animals, fish, birds, and plants. They can now get to work.
Ceremonial completion of the project
On May 14, 2025, the project was ceremonially completed by involved staff from contractor Van Oord, the municipality of Amsterdam, the Grondbank, and Rijkswaterstaat. Joost van de Beek, director of Network Management for the West Netherlands North region, handed over the baton (in the form of a bunch of reeds) to Esther Lagendijk, district administrator of the municipality of Amsterdam. The municipality of Amsterdam is responsible for maintaining the area.
Nature-friendly bank
The Kleine Noorder IJplas is connected via Zijkanaal H and the North Sea Canal. Due to its protected location without shipping, 700 m of nature-friendly bank has been constructed on the north, east, and south sides of the lake. This creates a wide calm zone with shallow water.
The bank provides a good habitat for bottom-dwelling animals and young fish, which can hide, spawn, and grow. Water plants can also thrive in this area. Along the nature-friendly bank, more reeds will grow. Reed birds will benefit from this.
Nature development
The original bank was steep and hard, covered with stones. Now the bank is less steep. By adding soil, a more natural, gradual transition from land to water has been created. To protect this gentle bank from waves and currents, a so-called willow dam has been constructed. This consists of two rows of poles between which willow branches (wips) have been placed.
The shallow zone that has been created is ideal for fish to hide, spawn, and find food. Fish that prefer brackish water, such as the brackish water goby, find a nice spot here. Bottom-dwelling animals, such as the brackish water clam and the Zuiderzee crab, also benefit from the soft bottom. Along the new natural bank, reeds can grow, which again provides a good spot for reed birds.
Improvement of water quality
This nature-friendly bank supports the water quality of the North Sea Canal and is part of the construction program of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). Rijkswaterstaat, the manager of our national waters, is committed every day to improving water quality in the Netherlands.