drainage windmill in amsterdam countryside
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Fully working 200 year old drainage windmill.

Windmill "Onrust" (Dutch for unrest) was build in 1809.
It is still in full use for drainage, and controls the water level of the "Naardermeer". This nature reserve (680 ha / 1700 acres) with lakes and marshland is located just southeast of Amsterdam.
When this mighty machine works at full throttle (120 ends = 30 rpm) it pumps out 7200 m3/hr. Even so, it takes 12 hours to lower the water level 1 cm in the area. A wind force of 3 Bf (±9 kts) to 7 Bf (±30 kts) is needed to do the job. National Parks service, owner of this windmill : www.natuurmonumenten.nl. More windmills on the countryside video page.

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