The Zoom

De Zoom is a former peat canal in the Dutch province of North Brabant, near Bergen op Zoom. Nowadays, De Zoom is only important for water management and as an ecological connection zone.

The Zoom is 13.5 kilometers long and originates in Belgium as Oude Moervaart on the north side of the Kalmthoutse Heide, in the peat area De Nol, and flows as Spillebeek west of Essen to the Dutch border. In the Netherlands it flows as De Zoom past Wouwse Plantage and flows into the Theodorushaven in Bergen op Zoom.

On 17 September 1529, during a consultation between Jan III van Glymes and industrialists, it was decided to extend the Moervaart to Essen under the promise that this peat would decrease. Five hundred men were deployed for the work. The course around the city was shifted in 1530 to the northern canal (Noordvest) and the harbour canal where an anthoofd was built. The work on the canal lasted until 1580.

Waterline

In the period 1583-1610, the function as a peat canal lapsed because the dyeing was halted due to war in the area. The Zoom was then given an important function in the West Brabant water line (completed in 1628). He defended the surroundings of Bergen op Zoom by inundation.

Wim Blankers