OTTERTRACKS

02 - Use and spreading of the name Otterspoor		back to preface
	14 – Sources
Last update 21-11-11		back to homepage

The Netherlands through history has always had a strong connection with the fight against water. Not just the sea has to be kept out. The rivers too with the influence from the tides from the sea, and the sometimes abundant supply of melting ice, snow and rainwater from the hinterland causes problems, that were and are of great influence on the development of the Dutch landscape.

It is the influence of one of the rivers, – the Vecht in the Province of Utrecht – that stood at the cradle of the name Otterspoor, and of the use of the name Otterspoor

At the present The Weerdsluice is indicated as the beginning of the River Vecht. The Weerdsluice is a lock in the city Utrecht and connects the city of Utrecht outside canal and the Vecht. (01.1)

The map also shows the location of Maarssen, Breukelen and the mansion Otterspoor.

The Vecht originates from way back. Far before our era a new branch of the River Rhine came into existence, the Curving Rhine, that divided into the Old Rhine and the Vecht. Later on the city of Utrecht was founded near that divide. (01.1)

The Vecht was a meandering (horseshoe type bends) river. Through the centuries the River deposited sand and clay in the River basin, which led to the formation of a basin belt of banks and basins. In time the Riverbed would change course when banks were weakened and broken through, which led to the old riverbed filling with slib.

The ‘stroomruggen’ (No translation, higher areas up to one Km or more wide) that were formed this way were reasonably dry, fertile and safe areas. That is why the oldest settlements like Maarssen and Breukelen were always located on these areas. (01.2)

The area Otterspoor –approximately south of Breukelen, near the border from Maarssen- also was a ‘stroomrug’ or a riverbank, located between the river and the boggy peat area next to it. This area must already have existed long before the reclaiming of land started. It seems logical, that a small community of farmers developed there Even possibly a community named Otterspoor.

Later in time the area Otterspoor was extended on the other side of the Vecht.

Arie Manten called this a lobe, possibly added because of the dam and sluce.

The partly boggy peat areas alongside the Vecht must have been an ideal living environment for the Otters. There can therefore be no doubt that the name Otterspoor is adopted from the Otters.

The Galigaan (Cladium Mariscus) is a plant belonging to the Cypergrasses family. (01.1)

In the past this plant was popularly called Otterspoor. So, it is even possible that the area was named after the Galigaan.