“Larger ships could pass between North and South Holland.” That was the royal decree which led to the Amstel-Drechtkanaal.
Welcome to the Amstel-Drechtkanaal a waterway that has shaped the landscape and history around it. This canal links the river Drecht and the Aarkanaal to the Amstel. It acts as a boundary marker between provinces. The Amstel-Drechtkanaal separates Noord-Holland from Zuid-Holland and Utrecht.
King Willem I initiated the construction of the Amstel-Drechtkanaal around 1825. He envisioned a waterway enabling larger ships to navigate between Noord- and Zuid-Holland. Before the canal, the Drecht and the Amstel met near Uithoorn. The Amstel-Drechtkanaal’s creation involved canalizing this section. Now, the stretch between Uithoorn and Ouderkerk aan de Amstel is part of the canal.
Originally, the Amstel started where the Drecht met the Kromme Mijdrecht. This was slightly southwest of Uithoorn, also known as Uithoorn aan de Amstel.
The western part of today’s Amstel-Drechtkanaal was once part of the Drecht. This section runs from the Aarkanaal, past Vrouwenakker, to the Kromme Mijdrecht near Uithoorn.
The Tolhuissluis lock sits at the beginning of the Amstel-Drechtkanaal near the Aarkanaal. Hikers can enjoy a scenic path along the Amstel-Drechtkanaal. The Pelgrimspad trail runs for about 8 kilometers along the north side of the water between the Tolhuissluis and Vrouwenakker.
The northeastern part of the Amstel-Drechtkanaal flows from the Kromme Mijdrecht past Uithoorn to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel. Here, the Bullewijk river flows into the Amstel. The Waver river joins the Amstel-Drechtkanaal from the east between Uithoorn and Ouderkerk. This happens at the southwestern tip of the Ronde Hoep polder.
The stretch from Ouderkerk aan de Amstel to Amsterdam is still officially called the Amstel. The Amstel-Drechtkanaal, from the Aarkanaal to the Bullewijk, is 18.5 kilometers long. From there to its mouth, the water measures 12.5 kilometers.
The Amstel-Drechtkanaal is part of the Amstellandboezem. This is managed by the Water Authority Amstel, Gooi en Vecht.
The Amstel-Drechtkanaal even played a role during a water shortage in 2003. Due to an extremely dry summer, the flow of the Amstel was reversed. For a few days, water from the IJsselmeer flowed south through the Amstel-Drechtkanaal to Zuid-Holland.
The name Amstel may come from “Aeme-stelle”. This old Dutch word means “area with a lot of water”. It could also be from an old Fries word meaning “two water flows that come together”. South of Uithoorn, the Drecht and Kromme Mijdrecht converge. The area near the Amstel is known as Amstelland for centuries.
The Amstel-Drechtkanaal stands as a testament to Dutch water management. Its construction facilitated trade and transport. It also highlights the ongoing efforts to manage and protect this low-lying land. As you look upon the waters of the Amstel-Drechtkanaal, remember its past. Consider its present-day importance in connecting communities and managing precious water resources.