Paddle Trail

Would you like information about the history and/or ecology of a specific location? Click on the links for the locations below for detailed information.  

History of the Apeldoorn Canal

The King of the Canals

In the 19the In the 19th century, many canals were dug in the Netherlands, thanks to King William I (1815–1840). He believed it was important for the Netherlands to have good transport links, for the country’s development and economy. William I therefore had two nicknames: ‘The Canal King’ and ‘King Merchant’. There were no proper roads yet, and transport by water was the cheapest and quickest option at the time. This is how the village of Apeldoorn came to have its own canal.  Can you picture the towboats?  

Construction of the Apeldoorn Canal

The king had his summer palace and hunting grounds in Apeldoorn. He hoped that the canal would make the village more accessible. In 1829, the northern section of the Apeldoorn Canal was dug – known as the Grift Canal. By hand! The canal linked Apeldoorn with other trading towns. As a result, the (paper) industry in Apeldoorn flourished. It was not until 30 years later that the canal was extended towards Dieren – a distance of 23 kilometres. At the time, it was known as the Apeldoorn–Dieren Canal.  

The water flows 

The canal flows into the IJssel at both ends. Keeping enough water in the canal was quite a challenge. Water was constantly seeping away through sluices and leaks. As a result, ships were not always able to sail here. Wells were dug to draw in groundwater to maintain the water level in the canal. It was not until four years after the canal was completed that The first steamship to enter Apeldoorn via the canal: the “Apeldoorn I” of the Wiepking regular shipping line.  

Apeldoorn is growing 

The Apeldoorn Canal was responsible for Apeldoorn’s initial economic development. With the arrival of the railway, industry in the Canal Zone continued to grow. Large factory complexes were established, such as Zwitsal, Talens, the Zeppelin & Co. net factory and the v/d Ploeg engineering works. After the Second World War, Apeldoorn was one of the fastest-growing towns in the Netherlands. Industrial estates sprang up along the canal: the Vlijt and Kayersdijk.  

There were only a few factories on the eastern bank of the Kanaal-Zuid, including the Salomons lime works. As a result, there was space in this rural area for the construction of the De Maten housing estate in the 1970s.   

See also: Opening of the Apeldoorn Canal 

Apeldoorn and water

Water brings life. The city of Apeldoorn has always been closely linked to water. The many springs and streams fed the canal. In the past, a large proportion of these springs flowed underground through sewer pipes. In recent years, we have been bringing the streams back to the surface, where they are exposed to sunlight and air. This also allows more life to flourish in and around the water.  

Birds, fish and insects

Water is a source of life for many species of wildlife. This ranges from the tiniest organisms (algae and water fleas) to insects, large (predatory) fish and birds. Along this paddling route, you can experience some of this natural world up close.  

Water quality

The water quality of surface waters (streams, ditches, canals, lakes, etc.) is poor in many places. Only 20% of these waters achieve a satisfactory rating. Much of the problem stems from the use of pesticides and the way the water bodies are managed. By planting more trees along the water’s edge and designing the banks to be “nature-friendly”, we are trying to improve water quality. A nature-friendly bank slopes gently down to the water and provides more space for aquatic plants. It also makes it easier for animals, such as waterbirds and amphibians, to get in and out of the water. The trees we plant along the water’s edge provide more shade over the water. These measures increase the oxygen levels in the water and create more space for aquatic life.  

What can you do yourself to improve water quality? It is important to ensure that as much rainwater as possible seeps into the ground where it falls. This means that as little water as possible needs to be drained away via the sewer system or run off into surface water. You can achieve this by removing paving in your garden. When maintaining your garden, please avoid using pesticides. This will also reduce the amount that ends up in the environment and in the groundwater. It is also good practice not to leave rubbish lying around on the street, as this can end up in the water. In Apeldoorn, we pay particular attention to this, partly through raising awareness. See also the 100 tiles campaign.