The province of Fryslan (Friesland) wants to upgrade its old Turfroute. The route along which, in the olden days, the collected turf was transported out of the area, should be made suitable for recreational ships with a depth of 1.30 m (DM class).
Commissioned by the province, Infram has assessed this old waterway. The entire route has been digitalized by means of GPS-data and existing maps. Infram used satellite data (GPS) combined with relevant data. In assessing the information, all kinds of aspects have to be taken into account. This includes the local wildlife: a roe deer that falls into the water has to be able to get out at a so-called ‘fauna-exit point’, too. The desired upgrading of the waterways can affect these and other aspects.
All the banks along the Turfroute have been defined and given a unique code, composed of a waterway number, a counter and an indication of either the left or the right side. Infram has mapped out the entire route and consulted the province with regard to the desired bank reinforcement, such as sheet pile wall constructions.
Fryslan will partly base its decision whether the Turfroute will be upgraded for larger recreational ships on this assessment.
