Have you ever seen a lake so deep it rarely freezes? Welcome to Wijde Blik. This isn’t just any lake. It’s the deepest lake in the Vechtplassen. Wijde Blik’s story is one of transformation. It began as a peat bog a typical Dutch landscape feature. But its character changed dramatically.
In 1933 the Ballast Mij received permission for extensive sand extraction. Imagine the scene. Ships constantly leaving Wijde Blik. They sailed through the Hilversums Kanaal. Past Fort Kijkuit they went. Then they passed through the ‘t Hemeltje lock onto the Utrechtse Vecht. Their final destination often Amsterdam. This went on for years impacting the lake’s original form. Sand extraction continued until 1978. Many voiced strong objections before the activity finally ended.
After years of negotiations the province of Noord-Holland acquired Wijde Blik. Remarkably the price was just one guilder a single Dutch coin. The sand extraction was devastating. Much valuable natural habitat was lost. Paradoxically the deep pit created a unique ecosystem. Wijde Blik now draws large amounts of groundwater. This is high-quality water supporting thriving wetland habitats. Because of this groundwater the lake seldom freezes even in harsh winters. This attracts birds like the common goldeneye and wigeon. They love that the water stays open.
Today Wijde Blik is managed by Natuurmonumenten. They protect this 289-hectare area. The lake is surrounded by expansive reed beds. Birds like the great reed warbler and the reed warbler find homes here. Wijde Blik has only one access point from the Hilversums Kanaal. A sailing school and boat rentals are located on the Zuwe. You can view Wijde Blik from the A Lambertskade. It’s a two-kilometer-long peat dike with a cycle path. It links Loenen to the Horndijk.
Wijde Blik’s transformation shows the resilience of nature. It started as a peat bog. Then it became a sand pit. Now it’s a deep lake teeming with life. This is a story of change and adaptation. A testament to the beauty found even in unexpected places. A story of Wijde Blik.