The Putter Steam Pumping Station was responsible for keeping the Zuiderzee-Arkemheen polder dry for almost one hundred years. After thorough restoration by a group of volunteers, the steam pumping station has been returned to its former glory. Black smoke coming out of the chimney means that the pumping station is running at full steam, and open to visitors.
Flood gates
The Zuiderzee-Arkemheen polder is one of the oldest polders in the Netherlands. In 1356, the Duke of Guelders, Reinoud III, granted the right to build dikes here. The Arkemheen polder was divided into two parts, the Putterpolder and the Nijkerkerpolder by the Arkervaart canal. For centuries, the water level in the polder was controlled by flood gates that closed when the water in the Zuiderzee was high. Excess water drained off through a sluice.
Putter Steam Pumping Station
In 1874, this free-flowing drainage system was replaced by a windmill. Not even 12 years later, in 1886, the windmill was destroyed. The Putter Steam Pumping Station was built on its foundations with a house next door for the engine operator. The original steam pumping engine was driven by a coal-fired boiler manufactured by Bakker & Rueb from Breda. When the dike flooded in 1916, salt water got into the machine which had to be replaced by a more powerful engine. The new steam engine could turn a scoop wheel with 20 paddles that had a capacity for pumping an impressive 75m3 of water per minute.
Steam engine
The pumping station was operational until 1971 after which, an electric pumping station further along the dike, took over. In 1976, the Putter Steam Pumping Station was put on the list of protected national monuments. The owners have worked together with a group of volunteers to restore the pumping station bit by bit. On special open days, the engine is brought back into operation, and the engineers and firemen enjoy explaining to visitors all about the mechanics of this exceptional engine.
