Ecomare

Between 1969 and 1971, the Grevelingen changed from being a mouth of a river to a saltwater lake with a stable water level (20 centimeters below NAP) and a surface of 11,000 hectare. There is a lock through which the seawater enters in the Brouwersdams. Since the mud particles sink quickly to the bottom due to the lack of turbulance caused by ebb and flood, the Grevelingen water is much clearer than ever before. This has become an attractive foraging areas for fish-eating birds (great crested grebe, common goldeneye, cormorant) Thanks to the clear water, the sunlight now penetrates to the bottom which is slowly being covered with a thick carpet of eelgrass. Winter guests such as geese and swans are very keen on this eelgrass. They descend in hoards in the Grevelingen. Waders breed on the grassy marshes, no longer fearing unexpected high tides.