Arembergergracht

The Arembergergracht was built around 1560 by order and at the expense of Jan van Ligne, Count of Arenberg, stadtholder of Friesland, Groningen, Drenthe and Overijssel. The canal connects the Zwarte Water at Zwartsluis with the Beulaker and Belterwijde. The canal was primarily needed for the drainage of the hinterland of Zwartsluis. The canal was also important for peat extraction. The peat extracted in this region - the Wieden - could be transported via the Arembergergracht to Zwartsluis and from there to Holland. De Ligne owned extensive possessions in this peatland. In order to prevent unwanted competition with the port of Blokzijl, it was determined that no movable bridges could be built over the canal. Only relatively small ships with ironed masts could pass the bridges. The canal had two locks, the Aremberger lock in Zwartsluis and a more northerly - no longer existing - lock at the Veneweg.

Wikipedia