Kampen - Room for the river

Zalk nature development in the floodplains (between junctions 3 and 76)
In the context of the Rijkswaterstaat project "Room for the river" floodplains are being redesigned in 5 different locations due to nature compensation. In the Zalkerbosch, the existing hardwood floodplain forest is being expanded by 5 hectares. Floodplain forest developed naturally along rivers. Ooi is an old word for wet terrain near a river. Softwood floodplain forests occur in many moist locations along the rivers. These forests are dominated by willows. Hardwood floodplain forests are forests of the higher, drier parts of the floodplains and mainly consist of oak, elm and ash. These are much rarer in the Netherlands. The Zalkerbosch is one of the few locations in the Netherlands where this still occurs. It is even considered the best developed hardwood floodplain forest in the Netherlands.

Reevediep (between junction 44 and De Chalmotweg)
The Reevediep is one of the largest "room for the river" measures in the Netherlands. Not only in terms of space, but especially in terms of the contribution that is made to water safety in the area of Zwolle, Hattem, Elburg up to Kampen and Zwartewaterland. The Reevediep creates a connection of over 6 km between the IJssel and the Veluwerandmeren. The approximately 350 hectares of new nature that is being created will mainly consist of wet nature that strengthens the character of the river delta, such as reed marshes and open water.

Chalmotweg
Residents of this area have always had to deal with high water. Characteristic farms from that time were therefore built on mounds. In the past, this area was regularly flooded by the IJssel and the former Zuiderzee. On the other side of the road, the last major expansion of the city of Kampen was realized, residential area het Onderdijks.

Wheels or gullies (between De Chalmotweg and junction 40)
Along old river dikes you regularly see wheels (or eddies). These beautiful still waters are the remains of dike breaches, sometimes caused by drifting ice. This has created deep holes, up to 10 metres deep. The sand from the eddy was deposited behind the eddy. When it broke, the force of the water was so great that the dike could no longer be closed. A new section of dike was then built around the eddy. Here along the Venedijk Noord there are three eddies. South of the high-water channel along the Venedijk Zuid there are four more.

Nature reserve De Enk (between the N50 national road and junction 69)
Here you see reed fields of nature reserve De Enk with the viaducts of the Hanzelijn and the Rijksweg N50 in the background (the point where the Reevediep crosses this infrastructure). Nature reserve De Enk is a remnant of an old sea arm of the former Zuiderzee. The Zuiderzee regularly invaded the area. The area that was isolated for a long time is part of the approximately 350 hectares of new nature that is being created in the Reevediep. In the spring, the black tern is a regular visitor to De Enk. Birds naturally build their nests on floating water plants, but here, just like elsewhere in our country, they are given a helping hand by the placement of artificial nesting rafts.

Zwartendijk (past junction 69 at Bovenbroeksweg)
Zwartendijk is an old sea wall that protected Kampen from the former Zuiderzee. There have been many dike breaches here, which can be seen from the many eddies. They are silent witnesses to disasters that have taken place here in the past.

Nature compensation (beginning of Buitendijksweg)
In addition to meadow birds, a number of other protected bird species also benefit from the mandatory nature compensation. These are the barn owl, long-eared owl, little owl, buzzard and house sparrow. In the immediate vicinity of the Reevediep, measures have been taken to compensate for the habitat that is being lost for these species. For example, consider the construction of flower-rich grassland and rough strips in the vicinity of the Buitendijksweg that should serve as a feeding area for the owls and the buzzard, but also consider placing nest boxes at farms and homes for the house sparrow.

New swamp area (halfway along Buitendijksweg)
In 2014, 8 hectares of reed marsh were already created here in anticipation of the construction of the Reevediep. Ultimately, this should grow into a marsh area of over 40 hectares where special reed birds such as the great reed warbler, the strangely honking bittern and the spotted crake, but also the pond bat feel at home. The fact that the marsh area is special is evident from the fact that Brussels has awarded a LIFE+ subsidy for the construction of the marsh area. In a few years, residents and recreationists will be able to fully enjoy the new nature thanks to the construction of a shipping channel and various walking, strolling and cycling paths.

Black-tailed Godwit looking for farmer (intermediate junction 67 and 68)
Many animal and plant species will benefit from the construction of the Reevediep, but unfortunately this does not apply to meadow birds. Because part of the open meadow area southwest of Kampen is being lost, new habitats must be found elsewhere for bird species such as the black-tailed godwit, lapwing and redshank. With the special campaign"Grutto zoekt boer\\\" farmers in the region have been called upon to develop and manage part of their land as an optimal habitat for meadow birds. Farmers in Kamperveen are also participating!

The city gates of Kampen
This is the Broederpoort, one of three gates that remain from the medieval fortifications around the Hanseatic city. Built in the 15th century, just like the Cellebroederspoort further away, the most important gate on the city side. In the 16th century, foreigners were only allowed to enter the city through the gate, with its thick insulating walls it also served as a refrigerator for a while! In the winter, large pieces of ice from the moat were stored in it, which they could use to cool meat and fish until the summer.

The old tile
It takes a while to find it, but it really is there. On the Broederbrug there is a tile with the inscription"KP7\\\", the 7 church point. If you look around here, you will catch no less than 7 churches. Freedom of religion in Kampen has led to every Christian movement being allowed and allowed to build its own church. That is why there are 10 churches and 2 theological universities within a stone's throw of each other.

Kamper sturgeon (near junction 41)
On the east side of the river, in the summer months, just in front of the station, you can see a large fish on the water. This is the famous Kampen sturgeon. A fish of no less than six meters long and equipped with a bell. Once intended as a main course for the bishop who would delight Kampen with a working visit in the 17th century, but just when the cook wanted to fillet the sturgeon, the bishop appeared to be prevented. The chance that they would ever catch such a large fish again was very small. The Kampen residents therefore decided to put a silver bell around the sturgeon and throw it back into the IJssel. In this way they hoped that they would be able to hear where it was. Unfortunately, they never heard from it again!

Mill bridge
Here we cycle under the Molenbrug. This is the most southern of the three bridges over the IJssel near Kampen, here the summer bed lowering begins. Over a length of 7.5 kilometres from the Molenbrug to the Eilandbrug the river is deepened by an average of 2 metres. This summer bed lowering ensures that the IJssel can discharge more water during high water. The Molenbrug is located right next to the mill D\\\'Olde Zwarver, which explains the name of the bridge, but in common parlance this bridge is usually called"the new bridge\\\".

Route offered by: Isala IJsseldelta