Entering the Overdiepse Polder, a beautiful panoramic agricultural area unfolds before our eyes. Dikes shelter the polder against the rivers Bergsche Maas and Oude Maasje. Farms with their wind-break appear to be green islands in that open space.
More than a century ago there was no polder. The whole area consisted of many small elongated parcels; low and wet and only suitable for extensive haymaking in summer. Only the river Oude Maasje ran through the area: not in contact with the Maas anymore but still under tidal influences. The Dussense Gantel, a branche of the Oude Maasje, connected the village Dussen with open water.
Around 1900 this scenery changes radically. The river Maas gets a new outlet to the North Sea by means of excavating the river Bergsche Maas between Heusden and Geertruidenberg. The new and channel-like river with broad and high dikes on both sides was not only an intrusion on the historical landscape but also a barrier for residents and users. To solve this problem the ferry ‘Capelsche veer’ was put into operation. The excavated soil enabled the construction of dikes and the ground deposit situated in the western corner of the Overdiepse Polder. The polder got its present shape but still had to cope with high waters and occasional flooding.
In the Second World War there were heavy fights around the Capelsche veer. The monument with a weeping willow on the dike is an exceptional landmark that reminds us of this battle.
To improve agriculture, a reallocation takes place in 1948. The small parcels disappear and a more rational blocklike allocation is made. A second reorganization occurs at the beginning of the nineteen seventies. By means of constructing the sluice in the Oude Maasje the area got its flood protection. Roads are asphalted and farms are founded and slowly the view of the Overdiepse Polder transforms into the scenery as we know it today.
The Overdiepse Polder in 2008 is mainly used agriculturally. Besides the recreation entrepreneur there are 17 farms located in the polder (one dairy farm was bought by the Province a few years ago). This presents – especially in summer when the cows graze in the fields – a beautiful panorama and typical Dutch scenery.
Looking around the polder a number of cultural-historic characteristics can be found. Naturally the dikes around the polder are very eye-catching. But also the plan of the original allocation (direction north-south) can still be identified. Other interesting elements are the war monument, the row of ash-trees alongside the Veerweg, the remains of the Dussensche Gantel and the former ferry house.
The polder can be reached from the south by bridges over the river Oude Maasje and from the north by the Capelsche veer. At certain places, for instance at the dike crossing to the ferry and one of the bridges one has a magnificent view over the polder and its environment. Then the green islands and both little nature reserves attract one’s attention. .
In 1993 and 1995 the Dutch river area faced extremely high water, in 1995 even with realistic chances of dike collapsing. In the subsequent years there was serious consideration about the future protection against high water. The government concluded in 2000 that another approach was essential in view of the climate changes (and the expected rising of sea level and river discharges). Instead the further raising of dikes, it was decided to give the rivers more space and at the same time improve the environmental quality of the river area. After the necessary studies, the government had set up at the end of 2005 the policy ‘Room for the rivers’ with 40 measures, valid throughout the whole river area.
The Overdiepse Polder is one of the locations where the river gets more room. It is a unique project, as the residents/entrepreneurs in the polder joined forces to find out in an early stage as much as possible on this development and they proposed the final solution: building farms on mounds (in Dutch: terpen). A sustainable solution for flood protection and agricultural use of the polder. On average once every 25 years river water will flow through the polder, resulting in a drop of the water level (up to 30 cm); this effect will be felt even far upstream.The Province of Noord-Brabant elaborates the plan , together with other public authorities and a consortium of advisory bodies. But also – and this illustrates the special character of this project – with the very active participation of the local residents association Overdiepse Polder.
More than a century after the excavation of the river Bergsche Maas and some 40 years after the polder became free of flooding the Overdiepse Polder once again will face a transformation from 2010 onwards. A transformation with a deep and fundamental impact on both the landscape and its residents and entrepreneurs. After all, not all the farmers can stay, a number of entrepreneurs will have to look for a new living somewhere else the next years. Most of the ground deposit will disappear. Along the river Oude Maasje a new primary dike will appear; reflecting the dike on the north side of the polder both in size and trace. The area between the new dike and the river Oude Maasje will become an interesting nature area and by means of nature friendly banks part of the former Dussensche Gantel will become more apparant. Later, high situated mounds along the new dike will accommodate nine dairy farms . When all existing farms are demolished later on, the present dike on thenorth side of the polder will be lowered. And with new pathes cyclists and hikers will be able to go round the polder.
Around 2015 the New Overdiepse Polder will have emerged for sustainable agricultural use of land and more room for safely discharging water from the river Maas .
From The Overdiepse Polder: Past, present and future (Province)
