Canals in the Kop

Weerribben National Park

The De Weerribben National Park was originally established in 1992. On January 17, 2007, the park was expanded to include the nature-similar area De Wieden. Together it forms the Weribben-Wieden National Park, which covers almost 100 km2. Together they form one of the most important wetland areas in Europe. 

Ossenzijl

Ossenzijl is a village in the municipality of Steenwijkerland in the Dutch province of Overijssel. It has about 500 inhabitants. The village probably owes its name to the Osse family who managed the lock (Zijl). Nowadays the lock is no longer in use. 

Kalenberg

The village of Kalenberg was founded in 1313 as Calumburg. It is said that the name of the village was coined by refugees and serfs from a hamlet of the same name near Hoogeveen who sought freedom in this inaccessible area. Later the name changed to Kaleberghe (1323), Callenburgh (1702) and Calemberg (1815) from which the name Kalenberg came. After peat digging, the Kalenbergers focused on fishing, livestock farming and reed cultivation. Kalenberger thatch is still a popular building material for covering roofs. 

Wetering

The name Wetering originally originated from an old drainage canal in the former Scheerwolde, called the"Scherwoldiger Weteringe\\\" around 1564. In the mid-16th century, the Arembergergracht was dug to provide a safe inland shipping route as an alternative to sailing across the Zuiderzee. From the Giethoornse Meer, the waterway was extended in a northerly direction through the Riete (Muggebeet) to the Wetering.