South Holland’s 10 Biggest Lakes
Want to know which are South Holland’s 10 biggest lakes? Read on to see, plus learn if they formed naturally or were the result of peat and sand extraction.
#1- GREVELINGENMEER
The Grevelingenmeer is the largest salt water lake in western Europe at 13,872 hectares. It is located between the island of Goeree-Overflakkee (the largest island in South Holland) and the island of Schouwen-Duiveland in Zeeland. Once an inlet of the North Sea, the lake was formed by the construction of the Brouwersdam, a part of the DeltaWorks project to protect the area from flooding.
#2- REEUWIJKSEPLASSEN
The total combined area of these hallow inland lakes near Gouda is 735 hectares, making the Reeuwijkseplassen the second largest in South Holland province
#3- BRAASSEMERMEER
At 425 hectares, the naturally-formed Braassemermeer in South Holland’s north-east quadrant, is the third largest lake in the province.
#4- BRIELSE MEER
At 400 hectares, the narrow, elongated Brielsemeer is South Holland’s fourth biggest lake. It was created when either end was dammed off to protect the surrounding land from flooding.
#5- VLIETLAND
Vlietland is South Holland’s fifth largest lake at 300 hectares. Officially part of Leidschendam, it also borders the towns of Voorschoten, Stompwijk and Leiden. It has a sandy beach on the west side and offers a wide range of water sports.
#6- OOSTVOORNESMEER
South Holland’s sixth biggest lake is the Oostvoornesmeer at 270 hectares. It is located on the inland side of the Port of Rotterdam’s Maasvlakte extension and is part fresh water, part salt water due to its proximity to the North Sea. With an average depth of 25-35 meters (8-11 stories), it is one of the deepest lakes in South Holland. The lake has two recreational beach areas: north east and south east.
#7T- ‘t JOPPE & KAAGERPLASSEN
Tied for seventh among South Holland’s 10 biggest lakes are ‘t Joppe and the Kaagerplassen, which sit next to each other and the city of Leiden. Each encompasses 250 hectares of surface area but there are differences in how they formed and the average water depth…
The Kaagerplassen formed naturally and are fairly shallow with a depth of 3-4 meters. Het Joppe, on the other hand, was man-made, created by the excavation of sand and peat needed to make building materials. The depth of Het Joppe lake is between 39-42 meters, about 11 times the depth of the Kaagerplassen. As a result, there is a difference in water temperature between the two.
#9- ZEVENHUIZERPLAS
The ninth largest lake in South Holland is the man-made Zevenhuizerplas at 174 hectares. It was created by the extraction of peat and sand used to build several new Rotterdam neighborhoods following WWII. The lake has a sandy beach and attractive boardwalk.
#10T- ZOETERMEERSEPLAS & KRALINGSE PLAS
Tied for tenth among South Holland’s 10 biggest lakes are the Zoetermeerseplas in Zoetermeer and Kralingse Plas in Rotterdam. Both lakes are 100 hectares in size. But these two also have different origins with the Zoetermeerseplas forming from the excavation of sand needed to build three new districts in the city. The average depth is 25-30 meters (7.5-9 stories). The Kralingse Plas formed naturally and is shallower. Both lakes have recreational beaches for sunbathers.
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