Drought in The Netherlands (2024)

• Aardrijkskunde
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Drought in The Netherlands

In 2018 and 2020 The Netherlands experienced very dry summers, which had an impact on many different aspects of our country. In this lessonup you'll find out more.

A picture of the drought from above. 

For centuries, the Dutch have been fighting against the threat of water. For the past few years – bitter irony – they have also had to deal with a water shortage. That shortage is becoming ever more serious and is now causing problems with shipping, agriculture and subsidence. Solutions are needed urgently, but none seem readily available.

Travelling by train through Europe I see wide yellow strips and endless, dry fields... Stanzas from Memory of Holland, a poem by Hendrik Marsman (1899-1940), fly through my head as I stare out the window of the Thalys train. This is my first trip in three months, due to corona.

You read the introduction of an article: Increasing Drought, a New Enemy for the Netherlands, written by Stefan de Vries.

He speaks of irony, that we had to fight a shortage of water. What does he mean with this?

Look at the maps and graph below. 

The water balance shows whether there is more precipitation or evaporation. Often there is more evaporation between april and september. After september, there is often a precipitation surplus. The two maps show the difference between evaporation and precipitation between April 1 and September 15 in 2018 and 2020. 

In which of the two years was the drought worst? Explain what the maps shows you. Use the words precipitation and evaporation in your answer.

This map shows the data for 2021 (updated until September 14th).

Look at the images again. The most important cause for the water shortage in 2018 was the lack of rainfall. Which other factor probably caused the difference between 2018 and 2021?

The drought caused many different problems. The problems will be shown in the next slides. 

Twan Brummelkamp in his ship

In Germany fuel prices rocketed. Because of the drought.

The Waal at an all time low

Fuel prices rose, but there are also other negative impacts of the low water levels in the river. Write down three.

In both Germany and The Netherlands some gas stations ran out of gas.

From where is the gas normally transported to Germany? And why did they ran out of gas because of the drought?

In 2018 and 2020 farmers suffered a lot from the water shortages. In some parts of the country farmers were not allowed to use surface water to water their crops.
Give one argument in favour of this measure.
Give one argument against this measure.

Soil types in The Netherlands

What is subsidence?

Groningen suffers a lot from subsidence. This subsidence has nothing to do with the drought. Why does the ground in Groningen subside?

Compare the two maps. At which two soil types is subsidence the biggest problem?

The dyke in Wilnis broke in 2003, due to drought.

Describe in your own words: how can drought cause a dyke to break?

Look at the image. What are they doing here? And why?

Look back at the four consequences again. Which of these will probably affect you most? How will it affect you? Explain your answer.

Most important?

 In times of drought we have to make choices. What are we going to use the scarce water for? Which use is given priority over other uses? You are going to decide which use you find most important, and which one least. 

On the next slide you will find a drag and drop assignment. Put the different uses in an order, 1 = most important, 5 = least important.

1

2

3

4

5

Water for drinking

Water for irrigation

Water to protect the dykes

Water to prevent subsidence

Water in rivers for shipping

Go to this webpage. Watch the 2nd video on the page, it's about the verdringingsreeks. 

https://www.rijkswaterstaat.nl/water/waterbeheer/droogte-en-watertekort/verdeling-water-bij-droogte

Which uses of water are discussed in the video which we didn't discuss before?

Did the Dutch government make different choices than you made in the drag and drop question? Which differences?

Are there choices the Dutch government made that you don't agree with? Which ones, and why not?

What did you learn from this lesson?