The Small Sluice in the Groene Gracht
General
Along Gennep’s old city wall lies the small sluice of the Groene Gracht (Green Canal). This little structure was built around 1910. It was used to regulate the water level in the moat, allowing it to be filled or drained in a controlled way.
Gardens in the Moat
In the former moat, there used to be 31 allotment gardens. These were already visible on maps from 1731. In old texts, they were called “kweektuinen” (cultivation gardens). The gardens were intentionally flooded during high water. The sediment that remained made the soil fertile. However, too much water was dangerous, as the city walls were weak in some places.
Protection Against High Water
Rainwater from the southern gardens drained away through the sluice. The sluice also protected the city from high water from the Maas and the Niers. When high water threatened, the sluice was closed. This kept, among other things, the nuns’ cemetery dry.
A Well-Known Citizen of Gennep
The sluice was located in the allotment garden of Piet Snijders, who served as Sinterklaas in Gennep for many years. He built the small pump house located opposite the sluice. The sluice was later sealed off.
Restoration by Students
In 2016, students from the Elzendaal College restored the sluice as a project for the masonry and metalworking departments.