The Moddermansdiep is a drainage channel in Over the Dijk (between Sellingen and Bourtange) in the municipality of Vlagtwedde in the east of the province of Groningen.
The canal was designed for strategic reasons in the 17th century to keep the water level in the marsh area around Bourtange fortress and to provide the fortress graves with water. The water originally originated from the Aa Ruins, where a dam was laid in the river, which led the water to Bourtange. The name of the town of Rijsdam still reminds us of this. Nowadays only the part of Moddermansdiep is located in Over Dijk. The muted part in continuation of the channel from Over the Dijk to Bourtange is now called the Moddermanspad. Name
Originally, this dug channel was called the Sales Dip. The channel was later named after Jan Remees Modderman, who was the prefect of the district Winschoten (Sampre Prefect of Oldampt and Westerwolde) around 1811. He is committed to the opening of this area in East Groningen. Also see 52° 59′ NB, 7° 10′ OL
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