Boterdiep

Boterdiep (Gronings: Botterdaip; translation: Butter Deep) is a canal in the Province of Groningen in the Netherlands. It was intended for the inland navigation. The name relates to the dairy products transported through the canal. It used to have its source in the centre of Groningen, but it has been rerouted to the Van Starkenborghkanaal.

Boterdiep
Boterdiep at Zuidwolde
Boterdiep is located in Groningen (province)
Boterdiep
Location
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceGroningen
Physical characteristics
Source 
  locationVan Starkenborghkanaal
  coordinates53.23863°N 6.56834°E / 53.23863; 6.56834
MouthUithuizen
  coordinates
53.40592°N 6.67658°E / 53.40592; 6.67658
Length25 kilometres (16 mi)

History

In the 15th century, the Cleisloot provided a connection to Bedum north of the city of Groningen.[1] In 1625, the ditch was transformed into a canal[2] which resulted in Zuidwolde being cut into two parts.[3]:167 In 1653, the Boterdiep was extended to Onderdendam[4] In 1660, it was extended to Kantens, and reached Uithuizen in 1695 where it ended in a little harbour.[2][5]

Warehouses along the Gedempte Boterdiep

From the 17th century until the beginning of the 20th century, the Boterdiep was a main inland canal, and was aligned on either side by towpaths.[4] The canal used to begin at the Turfsingel in the centre of Groningen.[2] In the early 20th century, the van Starkenborghkanaal was dug, and in 1912, the Boterdiep was re-routed to the new canal.[3]:98

The section in Groningen was filled up and was renamed Gedempte Boterdiep.[3]:98 In 1973, another 700 metres was filled up to allow for the construction of a road to Eemshaven.[6] The canal did not agree and two months later, after heavy rain, had managed to return.[7] The Boterdiep is nowadays mainly used for recreational boating and a 6 km/h speed limit applies.[8] In 2020, the towpaths were reconstructed as a cycle and pedestrian tracks.[9]

References

  1. M.C. Blom and M.J.M. de Wit (2017). "Een laatmiddeleeuwse Cleisloot blootgelegd. Een archeologische opgraving aan het Boterdiep te Groningen, gemeente Groningen (Gr.)" (in Dutch). DANS. p. Summary. doi:10.17026/dans-2bx-5xn4.
  2. "Het Boterdiep" (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  3. Redmer Alma (1998). Zuidwolde (in Dutch). Zwolle: Waanders Uitgevers. ISBN 90 400 9258 3. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  4. "Rolpaal aan het Boterdiep in Zuidwolde". Dutch Monuments. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  5. "Uithuizen". Nieuwsblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). 2 February 1929. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  6. "Brug over nieuw Boterdiep". Nieuwsblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). 6 August 1973. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  7. "Gedempte Boterdiep slaat terug". Nieuwsblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). 13 October 1973. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  8. "Boterdiep". Province of Groningen (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  9. Sanne Meijer. "De trekvaartverhalen van het Boterdiep". De verhalen van Groningen (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 March 2022.
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