Waterloopbos

The Waterloopbos is not just any forest in Flevoland. You will find scale models of 35 famous waterworks, unique nature to walk through and a cosy pavilion for a cup of coffee.

Old test site

You can hardly imagine it now, but how do you calculate complicated forces on large structures without a computer? In the old days, one way of doing this was to mimic reality. In the Waterloopbos in the Noordoostpolder , you can find the remains of scale models of famous waterworks. From the 1950s to the 1990s, the Waterloopkundig Laboratorium conducted more than 200 hydraulic studies here. The Delta Works were tested here, but also the ports of Rotterdam, Lagos, IJmuiden, Istanbul and Bangkok. At model site the Wave Box, as the name suggests, waves were made to test the effect of waves on ports and board platforms. This was done with large steel wave machines that moved the water.

Why this site?

The Voorsterbos, in which the Waterloopbos lies, is on the border of the old and new land. And since the new land is many metres lower, there is a natural decline here: water flows automatically from the higher old land, to the lower new land. Using this flowing water plus weirs, dams and wave machines, they tested the influence of certain forces on the structures.

Overgrown by nature

Meanwhile, testing has not been carried out for decades and in many places the models are completely overgrown by nature. Old water channels, weirs and locks are overgrown with bushes and plants. Animals such as the kingfisher and dragonflies feel perfectly at home in the Waterloopbos with all that flowing water. A unique forest due to the interaction of nature and technology.

National monument

Partly because of all the cutting-edge research done here, the Netherlands owes its reputation as the international centre of excellence in water management. In order not to forget the special history of the forest, a total of ten scale models will be restored in the coming years. And in 2016, the Waterloopbos was given 'National Monument' status.

The Pavilion

The Het ProefLab// Pavilion is the ideal starting point for a visit to the Waterloopbos. It’s a lovely spot to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or lunch, and you’ll find an information corner run by Natuurmonumenten about the forest’s unique natural and cultural history.

On an OERRR adventure

For children of primary school age (and their parents), an adventure card for an OERRR adventure in the Waterloop forest is available in The Trial Lab//. With such an adventure card (€ 2.50 per child, free for OERRR members) in hand, you will set off on your route through the forest. Along the way, you will encounter challenging assignments: from building your own little boat, walking barefoot through the woods to discovering how far animals can jump; and jump along yourself! Each task playfully teaches you more about water, nature and technology. As you trek from water work to water work, you actually take a trip around the world through the forest.

Walking routes

Several signposted walking routes also start from the pavilion. The Harbour Route (3 km) takes you past waterworks from all over the world. The area is also easily accessible for the disabled, as two disabled routes are available (1.1 and 3.3 km). There are also walking routes with an extra experience: the Waterworks AR route and the podwalk Natuurgeheimen (via Play Store and App Store). Download them, put your ears in and discover the stories of the Waterloopbos.