N377 | Former Dedemsvaart - Dedemsvaart

The canal de Dedemsvaart, dug on the initiative of Willem Jan baron van Dedem, stretched from the Zwartewater near Hasselt to above the weir at Ane, in a west-east direction. Construction began in 1809 and reached the area near De Pol in 1811. The canal primarily served to drain peat from the surrounding peatlands and played a crucial role in the region's economic development. Several settlements arose along the canal, including the town of Dedemsvaart.

Over time, the canal became less and less attractive for shipping. The emergence of new transport methods and the construction of roads caused the canal's importance to decline. Many stretches of the Dedemsvaart were therefore filled in and replaced by motorways. Much of the original canal route is now the N377, which runs from Hasselt to Coevorden.

This transformation marked the end of an era when the Dedemsvaart was a lifeline for the region, but the canal remains an important historical symbol of economic progress and landscape change.

Photo to illustrate.