Effect of vegetation growth in drainage canals on water management

In 2002 a new regulation was adopted in the Netherlands to protect flora and fauna. As a consequence mowing of drainage canals will be restricted during the growing season leading to vegetated canals that may hamper the discharge of water. In the summer of 2006 a field experiment has been executed in combination with a model study to investigate the effects of vegetation growth in the Fliert, a drainage canal located in the central part of the Netherlands. The field experiments showed extensive vegetation growth in absence of mowing. For the model study SOBEK Rural was used to evaluate different rainfall and vegetation (mowing) scenarios. From the model study it could be concluded that vegetation growth in combination with high rainfall can lead to water management problems. This means that if mowing is not allowed alternative measures are necessary. Unfortunately, model results could not be validated due to a relative dry summer.