Lake Grevelingen depth map – Zeeland

by Sidney van den Boogaard

Until 1971 the Grevelingen was an arm of the sea, with tides, between Goeree-Overflakkee and Schouwen-Duiveland. Then the Brouwersdam closed it off, and it became the largest saltwater lake in Western Europe. The tide went, the channels stayed. They still lie exactly where the sea carved them, and near Scharendijke the old channel reaches 45.2 metres. On the map the lake stands alone as a single cut-out shape, with islands such as the Hompelvoet left open in white. The pale edges are the shallows where divers and sailors come. Made for anyone who spends summer on this water or under it, and a natural partner for the Veerse Meer.

From the Depth series: coastal waters and lakes in the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland, in the same quiet colours. Each depth is its own layer, like stacked sheets of paper with a soft shadow beneath, from sandy flats to deep ink blue. Two or three side by side make a natural set, especially when they are places you know.

© Sidney van den Boogaard · Data: Rijkswaterstaat, © OpenStreetMap