Opsterlandse Compagnonsvaart - Donkerbroek

In 1630, people started digging the Opsterlandse Compagnonsvaart near Gorredijk. Peat would be transported via this canal. After no less than 200 years of digging, the end point was reached in Smilde in 1830.

The canal crosses ten villages and hamlets: Gorredijk, Haneburen, Vosseburen, Hemrikervaart, Wijnjeterpverlaat, Klein Groningen, Moscow, Donkerbroek, Oosterwolde, Appelscha and Smilde.

When the canal reached Donkerbroek in 1790, the village was divided in two by the waterway for eight years. It was not until 1798 that a bridge arrived.

Nine locks and numerous swing bridges divided the section between Gorredijk and Appelscha. These were needed to handle the difference in height: Appelscha is about 12 metres higher than Gorredijk.

The locks are all manually operated. The small bridges are also turned by hand. All but a few of the large bridges are operated electrically.

Photo to illustrate.