The Military Landscape

The Vecht formed a large part of the 'backbone' of the New Dutch Waterline: the 85-kilometre-long defence line from the Zuiderzee to the Biesbosch that was built from 1815 to 1940. Due to the flooding of large areas of land, the area became difficult to access for the enemy. This route leads right through this line. Everywhere in the landscape you can still see the traces left by its construction, such as group shelters and forts to protect vulnerable points in the inundation area. This lock in the Nedereindse vaart was such a vulnerable point, because water from the Vecht could flow into the country through the lock. You will see two group shelters at this lock, both at the Westbroek and Buitenwegse mills. These mills were needed to keep the two polders of the same name dry and to grind the water back after the inundation. Take a look at the decay in the lock. This is almost 1 meter! Therefore, inundation was as good as possible here: the land is much lower than the river.

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