Veersemeer is a lake in the Netherlands, more precisely in Zeeland, 22 km long and 1,500 m wide. It lies between the islands of Noord-Beveland, Zuis-Beveland and Walcheren. It is connected by the river Scheldt. According to the Zandkreekdam lock that allows this lagoon to have brackish water, slightly less salty than seawater. There are also 13 small uninhabited islands in the lake. Nature reserves have been set up on some of its shores, while water sports such as sailing are popular on others.
The Veersemeer, originally an estuary of the Scheldt River called Veerse Gat, was first closed off from the Scheldt by Zanderkreekdam in 1960. From the North Sea in 1961 Veerse Gatdam, some of the first constructions of the Delta Works water system. In 2004, the Katse Heule culvert was constructed at Zanderkreekdam, allowing saltwater to flow in from the East Scheldt to improve water quality and return this former estuary to its former brackish state.
The Veerse Meer was created as a flood control measure to regulate water levels in the surrounding polders. These act as a catchment for the surrounding polders until its excess water can be released into the East Scheldt. Its level is lowered in winter to help drain the polders, and maintained at a higher level in summer for recreation.
History of Lake Veersemeer
Originally an estuary of the Scheldt called Veerse Gat. It was first closed off from the Scheldt by the Zanderkreekdam. In 1960 and the Veerse Gatdam from the North Sea in 1961. These were some of the first constructions of the Delta Works water management system. In 2004, the Katse Heule sluice was built on the Zanderkreekdam to allow saltwater inflow from the eastern Scheldt. To improve the water quality and return this former estuary to its original saline state.
