North Sea Canal - Side Canals

Side Canals

The North Sea Canal and the IJ have 10 side canals (in Dutch: Zijkanaal), which connect to rivers and other canals which used to flow into the former IJ Bay before its reclamation.

• Zijkanaal A - connects the harbour of Beverwijk to the North Sea Canal, also an inundation canal of the Stelling van Amsterdam.
• Zijkanaal B - connected Spaarndam to the North Sea Canal, but was cut off from it by the construction of the A9 motorway in the 1960s. It is now used for canoeing and mooring of houseboats.
• Zijkanaal C - connects the Spaarne river at Spaarndam to the North Sea Canal at Buitenhuizen, and also functions as the main drainage canal of the Rijnland water board. The A9 motorway has an operable bridge over this side canal.
• Zijkanaal D - connects the Nauerna Canal to the North Sea Canal.
• Zijkanaal E - a very short canal connecting the south end of Westzaan to the North Sea Canal.
• Zijkanaal F - connected Halfweg to the North Sea Canal, but is now mostly backfilled. A small portion remains and is used as a drainage canal.
• Zijkanaal G - connects Zaandam and the Zaan River to the North Sea Canal.
• Zijkanaal H - connects the Barndegat to the North Sea Canal.
• Zijkanaal I - connects the East Zaan Overtoom to the IJ Bay.
• Zijkanaal K - connects the harbour of Nieuwendam to the IJ Bay.