Editing Lauwers (section)

{{Short description|River between Friesland and Groningen, the Netherlands}}
{{other uses|Lauwers (surname)}}
{{Expand language|topic=|langcode=nl|langcode2=fy|date=February 2025}}
[[File:Lauwers.svg|thumb]]
The '''Lauwers''' ({{IPA|nl|ˈlʌu.ərs}}) is a [[river]] in the [[Netherlands]].  It forms part of the border between the provinces of [[Friesland]] and [[Groningen (province)|Groningen]]. From the 730s to [[Widukind]]'s defeat in 785, it was part of the border of the [[Frankish Empire]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-22 |title=De geschiedenis van grensrivier de Lauwers: van machtige rivier tot klein slootje |url=https://lc.nl/weekbladenfriesland/defeanster/De-geschiedenis-van-grensrivier-de-Lauwers-van-machtige-rivier-tot-klein-slootje-28433076.html |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=Leeuwarder Courant |language=nl-NL}}</ref>

The former [[Lauwerszee]] and the present-day [[Lauwersmeer]] are both named after the river, which as a small stream has its source southeast of the village of [[Surhuisterveen]]. Near [[Gerkesklooster]]/[[Stroobos]], it crosses the [[Prinsesmargrietkanaal]]/[[Van Starkenborgh Canal]].

The Lauwers achieves the width of a true river at the place that it gains its tributary, the [[Oude Vaart]], near the [[Schalkendam]].  Further along its course, the Lauwers splits into two branches, the Frisian [[Oude Lauwers]] and the [[Zijldiep]], in [[Groningen (province)|Groningen]] province.

The Lauwers meets the sea at the [[Wadden Sea]], emptying into a channel between the islands of [[Schiermonnikoog (island and municipality)|Schiermonnikoog]] and Rottumerplaat/Rottumeroog, which can be viewed as the continuation of the river.

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File:Muntsjesyl.JPG|Lauwers River
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