Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal
The Woudagemaal (Pumping Station) is the largest steam-pumping station ever built and is still in operation. During the winterdays, this station comes in action to help more modern pumping stations cope with high water in Friesland. On average, this occurs for 400 hours a year.
While its modern colleagues can be set in action by just turning a switch, this station needs a 6 hour-warming up to be able to do its work. Then, it is able to pump about 4 million liters of water per minute.
The pumping station is named after Ir. D.F. Wouda, the head engineer who was responsible for its design and construction.
Visit May 2003, March 2007
My already quite dirty car took some more dust when I tried to get to the Woudagemaal. At the moment, the surrounding dikes are raised by one meter to be able to continue withstanding the water.
For a look inside you have to take a tour. This is very worthwhile because you get some idea how this big complex works (although I didn't grasp the whole story). Very remarkable is that every machine inside is in very good and blinking condition. The people who work here obviously take great care and pride in preserving this industrial heritage.
Besides the impressive machinery, the building that they are housed in is also worth a special look. The large engine hall is a very fine example of the Amsterdam school of architecture.
On my second visit (together with WHS colleague Christer Sundberg) we were given a private tour by Theo Kuilboer. The complex technical structures made much more sense to me thanks to his explanations.
More photos can be found in the Picture Gallery
Reviews
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I really enjoyed my trip to this site. Our guide was exceptionaly friendly, putting on a guided tour for just myself and my boyfriend when we arrived. He spoke perfect english, and gave us plenty of brochures about the mill.
I visited in summer, when the mill was not in full use. I would very much like to return in winter when there would be an opportunity to see it in all it's glory.
For those of you who may be visiting the area during the warmer summer months, there is a beautiful beach quite nearby in Lemer. It has white sand and crystal clear waters. (Our guide refered to this as sweet water, but I think he meant fresh water!)
This was one of the more sedate sites that I have visited but it proved to be a very enjoyable trip none the less. Perhaps it would not be worth going too much out of your way for, but it's a nice way to spend an hour if you're in the area. |
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Woudagemaal, we count on you in these extreme circumstances! |
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David Morton (England):
This pumping station will be of interest to people of all ages as it helps to understand the problems the people of the Netherlands have with dealing with the problems of rain in an area situated below sea level. I found the visit very interesting and with an entry price of 5 Euros (August 06) it was good value. The entrance is sign posted off the N359 just on the edge of Lemmer. You have to visit with an on site tour guide (English speaking)this is for safety reasons and they give an amazing amount of information. Tour times are about every hour starting on the half hour excluding lunch times.
If a lot of rain has fallen in the previous days then the pumps may be in operation and will make your visit an even greater experience. |
| Date posted: August 2006 |
Ian Cade (England):
 The pumping station is absolutely pristine, the machines are spotless and still ready to start up when called into action, as they are in for a few weeks in winter. The main building is finished to a very high quality and the upkeep of the machines is fantastic. This is a huge pumping station yet when it is up and running it only needs about 3 or 4 people to keep it going.
The volunteers that gave the tours were really great and helpful and obviously enjoyed giving up their free time to teach people about the site, and as with everywhere in the Netherlands their grasp of English was shaming good.
I am not sure however if this site is really of outstanding universal value, whilst I greatly appreciate industrial aspects of the list I am left wondering if being the ‘world’s largest steam driven water pumping station’ is significant enough to merit the status of World Heritage. The site contrasts with the Derwent Valley Mills in England where the significance was much greater but the upkeep of the mills was nowhere near as impressive.
I visited the site after a short drive (25min) from Shockland. It is just outside the town of Leemer in southern Friesland, and to my surprise was well signposted from the A6 motorway. Leemer provides a nice place to get something to eat, either in a restaurant or grab some food in a supermarket and sit on the really lovely sandy beach.
On the whole I felt this site is only really worth a quick visit to tick it off or if you have a love of steam, in which case a visit in winter when the machines are in action would probably be very worth while. |
| Date posted: July 2006 |
F.M. Lorente (Spain):
This is a very beautiful place that emanates a special atmosphere, and that show us that 80 years ago things also could be well made.
People of guided tours are very kindness and make feel you this site. |
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Theo Kuilboer (the Netherlands):
Some time ago I visisted the more than 80 years old pumping station in mid-winter.
The machines looked magnificent, eager to be started up again. My companions also
enjoyed the trip very much.
Since then there have been significant changes:
- the site was added to the World Heritage List in 1998
- since July 2001 there is an enthousiastic group of volunteers giving a guided tour
- in the tour included is a 11 minutes video
- when in autumn or winter the pumps are needed, there is daily service of guided tours
from 10 am - 18 pm
- since Feb 2002 there is a website operational: www.woudagemaal.nl |
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