The restoration of the streams is being undertaken in collaboration with other organisations. For example, there is an ongoing partnership with the Vallei en Veluwe Water Board. The Water Board and the local council are joint clients and are also investing jointly in the restoration of the fourteen streams.
* You can find more information about the other streams and springs in our web archive. Set the date to 01-07-2022 and type ‘beken en sprengen’ into the search bar below the calendar.
A stream is, in fact, a small river that has formed naturally. They originate from a spring where groundwater rises naturally to the surface. Winding its way, the stream finds its path to lower-lying areas.
A ‘spreng’, ‘sprang’ or ‘Sprengebeek’ is a stream that has been dug or diverted by humans. The springs are dug in such a way that they bring pressurised groundwater to the surface. In the Veluwe, the word ‘spreng’ has a special meaning. Here, we use ‘spreng’ to refer to a dug well or springhead. A ‘Sprengebeek’ is therefore a dug stream that was used primarily to power water mills, for papermaking and/or to supply water to laundries. Sometimes the streams were artificially ‘channelled’ relative to the valley floor. By following the contour lines as closely as possible – and thus running along the sides of the valleys – as much of the gradient as possible is retained at the site of the watermill. In Apeldoorn, there are mainly ‘Sprengebeken’.
The streams and springs are being restored and widened with the aim of:
View the map of the recovery programme (PDF, 1.37 MB)
Apeldoorn is the place with the highest rainfall in the Netherlands. Due to climate change, rainfall is now occurring in more intense bursts. Extreme examples of this include: on 3 July 2009, 115 mm of rain fell in Apeldoorn in 1.5 hours, and there was another bout of heavy rainfall on 28 August 2010. At the same time, rainwater no longer flows through downpipes into the sewer system. These pipes are disconnected, and the water is allowed to infiltrate the ground on private property as much as possible. Any remaining water flows into wadis in the stream zones or into the streams themselves. A wadi is a depression where rainwater collects and infiltrates into the ground. This approach ensures the sustainable management of rainwater, with peaks being absorbed. It also means less rainwater flows to the downstream areas in the IJssel Valley, by retaining as much rainwater as possible within the local area and discharging it at a controlled, delayed rate. On the eastern side of the canal, rainwater is collected in the ponds. On the western side, this is done as far as possible in the stream zones. For example, water storage areas, pools and wadis have been created in zones adjacent to the Ugchelsebeek, the Beek in the Orderveen, the Eendrachtspreng and the Koningsbeek.
As a result of climate change, the groundwater level is fluctuating and, in certain locations in Apeldoorn, the groundwater is rising. Groundwater levels have already risen in recent years due to measures to combat drought and a reduction in extraction, particularly for industrial purposes. This is already causing problems in a few places. Streams and stream channels are being restored to drain off excess groundwater and to use it for purposes such as nature conservation. Instead of simply – and expensively – pumping it away, we are managing the groundwater as wisely as possible. Firstly, we use it – where possible – for sustainable energy, such as heat and cold storage. The water is then channelled into the streams, which carry it onwards. This clean water is important for nature conservation and for the experience of Apeldoorn’s residents and visitors. Finally, part of the Grift water is used for infiltration to compensate for drinking water supply. Now that the Orderbeek, for example, has been restored, the groundwater problem on Zanderijweg has been sustainably resolved. The groundwater level around Pieter de Hoochlaan is also more manageable thanks to the restoration of the Rodebeek.
Biodiversity and ecosystem restoration are key themes in stream restoration. In this context, by ‘system’ we mean a coherent network of different streams. In Apeldoorn, the most important of these is the Grift system. It is so named because all the streams flow into De Grift. In addition, there are the canal streams that flow into the Apeldoorns Canal.
Once the streams in Ugchelen, Apeldoorn and Epe are properly connected again, a larger habitat will be created for animals that live in streams. This will make these species less vulnerable.
The aim is for the water in the streams to flow above ground again. This will allow fish to swim everywhere. We are creating new streams and restoring existing ones. In doing so, we are providing fish ladders and a suitable stream bed. An open stream bed at the source, where seepage water can feed the streams. A loam bed to keep the water flowing within the stream. Where a concrete bed is necessary, we line the stream with a base layer of fine gravel and sand. Sometimes we add boulders to create different flow rates. This creates more variety.
We do not plant anything in the stream. New vegetation grows spontaneously, initially mainly in areas where there is little current. This creates a better habitat for rare species such as the brook lamprey. Other animals also benefit from this, such as minnows and sticklebacks. Where possible, we use natural banks or banks made from natural materials.
In January 2024, volunteers from the De Prik fish conservation group carried out a survey of fish populations in sections of the Grift in and around the city centre. The results are very encouraging: there are already plenty of fish, including many different species, in the new streams. The streams are therefore making a valuable contribution to biodiversity. For the first time in over 50 years, the bullhead has been spotted in Apeldoorn’s streams! Watch the episode of Binnenstebuiten on stream restoration in Apeldoorn.
Alongside the streams, we are creating streamside areas. These usually consist of a cycle/footpath and greenery, such as trees and flowering vegetation. A number of rare species make use of these streamside areas, such as the kingfisher, the egret and the grey wagtail.
The province of Gelderland has set nature conservation targets for each stream. Through our stream projects, we are working to achieve these targets. These include:
You can find out how we do this and how we combine it with other objectives in ‘Going with the flow’, the 2009 illustrated guide to stream restoration published by Apeldoorn City Council and the Vallei en Veluwe Water Board.
Walkers will be delighted by the creation of footpaths along the streams. These paths form a link between the various parts of the city, as well as between the city and the surrounding countryside. The stream areas also reinforce Apeldoorn’s green identity. In some places, the streams will form part of larger recreational areas. Examples of this include: the Grift in Catharina Amalia Park and the Kayersbeek in Zuiderpark.
The streams played an important role in the urban development of Apeldoorn. Many businesses were situated along the streams, mainly laundries or paper mills. Within the city, both the streams forming part of the Grift system (including the Badhuisspreng, subject to sufficient water levels) and the Kanaalbeken are being restored. The streams are being reconstructed roughly along their original course. This brings a piece of history back to life.
The restoration of the streams is being undertaken in collaboration with other organisations. For example, there is an ongoing partnership with the Veluwe Water Board. The Water Board and the local authority are joint commissioning bodies and are also investing jointly in the restoration of the fourteen streams. Representatives from both organisations form part of the stream team set up to monitor the objectives and quality of the stream restoration work.
A project group is responsible for the preparatory work for the development of each stream section. The project group consists of people from various professional disciplines within the water board and the local council. The project group draws up the design. In doing so, it consults with a focus group comprising village and neighbourhood councils, the stream foundation, nature and environmental organisations, and sometimes businesses. An open evening for stakeholders is also organised.
The design is then finalised and set out in a set of specifications. The project is subsequently put out to tender and carried out by a contractor. Once construction is complete, the stream is managed by the water board and the surrounding area by the local council.
Other partners are also involved in some projects. For example, the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment is contributing to the restoration of the Eendrachtspreng. The Province of Gelderland is contributing to those sections of the Grift that form part of the Regional Contract. Private sector organisations are also investing in stream restoration, such as at Sparta Luce and the Orden shopping centre.
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