The water in the Zoommeer is refreshed by the Bathse Spuisluis, which improves the water quality. Moreover, the discharge of the water ensures that the water level does not rise too much because groundwater runs into the lake from the land. Excess water from the Zoommeer, the Volkerak and the Markiezaatsmeer therefore ends up in the Western Scheldt . Rijkswaterstaat was responsible for the construction of the Bath Spuikanaal and the Bathse Spuisluisworked closely with landscape and recreation experts. A study was made of the history of the area, nature and the recreation needs in the area. Wide reed verges have been installed along the canal so that the flood defense looks as natural as possible and blends into the landscape as much as possible. During the digging of the Bath Spuikanaal, 8 million m³ of soil was released, which was partly used for the construction of another Delta Works , the Oesterdam . To the west of the Zoommeer, behind the Oesterdam , lies the Oosterschelde. A lock in the Oesterdam was initially more logical than digging a canal, but the Oosterschelde areais a protected nature reserve and too much fresh water is not good for the animals and plants. That is why it was decided to let the water flow into the Western Scheldt .