Wouda pumping station

The Wouda pumping station in Lemmer, Netherlands, is an engineering marvel and a national heritage site. It is the largest steam-powered pumping station of its kind in the world, and one of the largest in the world with its pumps able to draw up to 4,400 cubic metres of water per minute. Built in 1920, the pumping station is still in use today and is visited by those interested in the engineering behind the site. The generator hall contains the oldest existing generator in Europe. You can explore the station's many sights, which include the turbine hall, the maintenance hall, the rescue centre and the tower, which not only houses one of the generator units but also offers a great view of the area. The pumping station is surrounded by a sluice, or weir, which was used in the 18th to 20th centuries to alter the flow of the river. Visitors can also explore the nearby windmills, which were a part of the pumping station machinery. It is a great destination for those interested in engineering, water management and Dutch history.