As the windmill moves it generates power that drives motorized pumps to get the water out of the lake and into the ocean! By building lots and lots of windmills, the Dutch got rid of almost all of their lakes. Then they built all the houses they wanted.
This need is being met! In fact, most of the major cities in The Netherlands are built where there used to be water. Many of the old windmills that were used to pump out the water still exist. I visited Zaanse Schaans, a town filled with old windmills, to learn about the history of The Netherlands. Check out some of the pictures from that trip!
