On Monday, August 25, 2025, the IJsselwaarden combination began maintenance of the vegetation in the floodplains of the IJssel and the Zwarte Water. In various locations, the vegetation has become too dense or too high, which can create dangerous situations during high water.
IJsselwaarden is carrying out the maintenance on behalf of Rijkswaterstaat.
Maintenance of Riverbanks
The maintenance consists of mowing, trimming, and removing wild growth. This way, the water in the area can continue to flow well, even during high water. It involves reeds and scrub that grow along the forest, the shrubbery (scrub) and on the banks.
The shrubs that have overgrown too much will be trimmed back, and wild growth of branches, trunks, and roots (woody vegetation) will be removed. Additionally, willows that have overgrown too much will be cut down. Solitary trees and shrubs such as hawthorns will be preserved as much as possible for landscape and ecological values and the Framework Directive Water.
A total of 29.1 hectares will be mowed along the IJssel, about 7.3 hectares will be trimmed, and 1.6 hectares will be cut down. The green maintenance takes place around Kampen, Zwolle, Olst, Deventer, Zutphen, and Doesburg.
Preparation
Before the work starts, an ecologist checks which plants and animal species are present in the area. The two green companies carrying out the work are familiar with the area and take into account the rules regarding the existing flora and fauna. When high water threatens, the work will be paused, and the existing pruning material will be removed.
Landowners on whose land this maintenance is carried out or where work traffic will take place have been informed about the work. No hindrance is expected due to the work.
Management and Maintenance in the Floodplains
The floodplains along the rivers have an important function for the safe flow of (high) water. Good management of the floodplains is important for the safety of people in the river area and for river nature. IJsselwaarden (a combination of Dura Vermeer and Brunel) is the combination that manages and maintains the floodplains along the IJssel and the Zwarte Water.
The work in the floodplains consists of maintenance of civil objects (think of bridges), ditches and waterways, inspections of existing plants and animal species, and green maintenance.
If you have questions, you can contact via the email address on the website IJsselwaarden .