Groundwater level remains very low after precipitation

The precipitation that fell last weekend has mainly caused the groundwater level to be replenished locally. Nationally, there is still a low to very low groundwater level, as the latest Drought Monitor of the National Coordination Committee for Water Distribution (LCW) shows.

The rainfall of the past period (especially last weekend) has brought regional relief for agriculture and nature. In several places in the Netherlands there was even talk of flooding† However, the national groundwater level remains low to very low for the time of year, especially on the high sandy soils. However, the precipitation has ensured that the precipitation deficit has been stable for a number of days at around 238 millimeters.

The Drought Monitor of the LCW also shows that the persistent drought and heat of recent weeks mainly had an impact on dairy farming and fruit growing in the Netherlands. For example, many meadows are golden yellow and in South Limburg approximately 25% of the fruits are said to have been lost due to overheating. However, now that the first arable crops are being harvested, water demand is expected to have peaked.

Water quality is deteriorating
As a result of the higher water temperatures, reports of blue-green algae, fish mortality and botulism are also increasing. The measures taken by various water boards and Rijkswaterstaat will therefore remain in force. This includes setting up water levels, water retention, water-saving fences and bans on irrigation. Slight salinization problems have also been reported, especially in the deep polders. This is partly a result of the combination of salinization on the Hollandsche IJssel and internal salinization.

Problems with the water supply are not (yet) reported and expected. The discharge of the Rhine remains low and gradually decreases towards 1.100 m3/s. However, the discharge remains sufficient to meet the demand. The discharge of the Meuse is very low and is expected to decrease further to 25 m3/s in the coming weeks. The situation remains manageable, because the water demand will temporarily decrease slightly due to the less warm weather.

Stable weather expected
No more shocking developments in the precipitation deficit are expected in the next 2 weeks. However, the variation in the Netherlands remains quite large. Areas without water supply options have a much greater precipitation deficit. In the east of Gelderland, for example, the deficit is comparable to 1976.

Showers are regularly forecast up to and including Friday 28 August, and normal amounts of precipitation are expected in the period thereafter. The temperatures are around the normal values, with here and there peaks to 28 and 33 degrees. Want to see more weather information? View Agricultural Weather.

Kimberly Baker

Kimberly Bakker is an all-round editor at Boerenbusiness. She also has an eye for the social media channels of Boerenbusiness.

k.baker @boerenbusiness. Nl

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