First of all the stream will create an extra drainage facility for water, increasing the safety of a large area. During extremely heavy rain the water must be caught so that it can be drained away phase by phase. This increases the safety of an area. Now the water still goes away via the Lateral Canal and the Banis mill in Almelo. In addition there will be various retention (catchment) areas that can contain the water in order to prevent flooding and dehydration of the ground.
Secondly the construction of the stream is good for certain types of plants and animals. De Doorbraak will create an ecological link zone between Twente and Salland. The water plays an important role for the landscape and for the plants and animals that live there. Rivers and streams form �roads� between living areas by which animals and plants can move about. De Doorbraak runs right through the urban belt of Twente, forming a connection between the rural areas of East and West Twente. This can give a strong impetus to the landscape and the ecological system.
A third advantage is that the quality of the water system in the region will be improved. The new stream will be built in order to divide streams of water. The district water board wants to divide the Twente water system into two streams of different qualities. Urban water is of lesser quality. This water will be drained away separately to the Vecht, eventually ending up in the IJsselmeer. With De Doorbraak the clean rural water from the catchment basins of the Loo watercourse and the Azeler stream will be led away to the rural water in the Regge. This will facilitate the restoration and retention of nature and the landscape while providing the agricultural system with clean water. Actually this will restore the original situation. In the past these streams were part of the catchment basin of the Regge, but through human interference they were cut off.
Where will De Doorbraak be created?
So De Doorbraak is certainly necessary, but to the left or the right? This has been investigated by a study group comprising various interested parties. Finally a choice was made for the brook valley route that as far as possible follows the course of the existing Tusvelder waterworks and the Bornerbroek waterworks. Here there are good opportunities to make De Doorbraak go in the desired direction.
