Dollart

Dollart
Dollard
The Dollart and surrounding area
Dollart
Location of the Dollart
Dollart
Dollart (Lower Saxony)
Dollart
Dollart (North Sea)
LocationLower Saxony, Germany / Groningen, Netherlands
GroupWadden Sea
Coordinates53°17′N 7°10′E / 53.29°N 7.16°E / 53.29; 7.16
TypeTidal bay
EtymologyPossibly from Middle Dutch dole ("deep pit")
Part ofEms estuary
Primary inflowsWesterwoldse Aa
River sourcesEms (via tidal exchange)
Primary outflowsWadden Sea
Ocean/sea sourcesNorth Sea
Basin countries Germany, Netherlands
Max. length10 km (6.2 mi)
Max. width9 km (5.6 mi)
Surface area100 km2 (39 sq mi)
Average depthApprox. 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) (average tidal range)
Max. depthApprox. 10 m (33 ft) (in tidal channels)
Residence timeTidal
SalinityBrackish
Surface elevationSea level
FrozenNo
IslandsNone
SettlementsEmden, Delfzijl, Eemshaven
Websitegroningerlandschap.nl

The Dollart (German name, pronounced [ˈdɔlaʁt]) or Dollard (Dutch name, pronounced [ˈdɔlɑrt]) is a bay in the south‑eastern Wadden Sea at the Germany–Netherlands border, west of the Ems estuary. It forms the innermost part of the Ems–Dollart estuarine system and is characterised by extensive intertidal flats, salt marshes and shallow channels. A large proportion of the surface falls dry at low tide, creating internationally important feeding grounds for migratory shorebirds and waterfowl. The remaining unembanked forelands belong to the transnational Wadden Sea World Heritage Site.