In or shortly before the 11th century the Delf was dug, as an east–west waterway for navigation, and also for the drainage of the hinterland when the estuary was silting up. At Winneweer (Muda), the Fivel now discharges into the section of the Delf that became known as the Damsterdiep [nl], running through Appingedam and debouching at Delfzijl. During the Middle Ages, the estuary was increasingly diked until totally reclaimed; the streambed of the Fivel is hardly visible any longer.[1]