Waterwolf, orWater-wolf is aDutch word that comes from theNetherlands, which refers to the tendency oflakes in low lyingpeaty land, sometimes previously worn-down by men digging peat forfuel, to enlarge or expand byflooding, thuseroding the lake shores, and potentially causing harm to infrastructure, or death.[1] The term waterwolf is an example ofzoomorphism, in which a non-living thing is given traits or characteristics of an animal (whereas a non-living thing given human traits or characteristics ispersonification). The traits of a wolf most commonly given to lakes include "something to be feared", "quick and relentless", "an enemy of man".[1]
The Netherlands, meaning 'low countries', is a nation where 18% of the land is belowsea level, and half of the land under one meter above sea level, and is prone to flooding.[2] Before modern flood control, severestorms could cause flooding that could wipe out whole villages in the area of the waterwolf.[3] Much of the land in the Netherlands consists of peatbogs. Peat isorganic matter sconsisting of 10% carbon and 90% water, usually found in colderclimates where theplant growth and decay are slow. Peat is considered a form ofcarbon sequestration, and when dried can be burned as a fuel. Historically peat was the primary source of fuel in the Netherlands, and farmers would mine the peat to burn or sell, thus contributing to the erosion of thelandscape.
The first great step to reclaiming land taken by the waterwolf was made with the creation ofwindmills that could pump water out of the surrounding area, allowing for the creation ofpolders, or areas inhabited below sea level with an artificially managedwater table.[4] Modern flood control in the Netherlands consists of maintaining polders andlevees, and is highlighted by the world's largestdam project: TheDelta Works.[4] While modernflood control has conquered the waterwolf, new events such asrising sea levels from climate change could once again bring the waterwolf.[5]
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