DRENTSE MAIN CANAL

The Drentse Hoofdvaart is the longest canal in Drenthe and was constructed in this form in the 18th century to exploit the immense peat area between Diever and Assen.
As early as the mid-17th century, wealthy merchants attempted to exploit the peat directly north of Diever. Peat was the main fuel at that time and was so valuable that it was worth digging a complete canal for it: the Smildervaart.
The peat was transported from Meppel to the cities along the IJssel and in Holland.
However, the merchants were unable to exploit the area profitably, leading the venture to fade away slowly.
Landschap Drenthe, the predecessor of the province, saw potential in it and purchased the canal along with the peat extraction rights. Between 1767 and 1780, as an improvement to the Smildervaart, the Drentse Hoofdvaart was constructed between Meppel and Assen. With the construction of the new canal, large-scale exploitation of the peat area between Diever and Assen could begin. By the end of the 19th century, after the entire area had been almost completely excavated by hand and shovel, the canal remained the main traffic artery between Meppel and Assen, including horse-drawn boats and later a tram line along the water. With the advent of road freight transport, the canal lost its significant function as a transport artery.

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