Dutch Coast Superstorm Proof

Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment of the Netherlands, Melanie Schultz, yesterday presented the improved section of the Dutch coast, in the West-Zeeuws Vlaanderen area.

The completion of the last weak link on the Dutch coast means that the Dutch coast will be superstorm proof for the next 50 years.

“In 2003, nine weak links were identified along the Dutch coast, locations at which we were vulnerable. We have now tackled the last weak link and I am proud to present the results. The Dutch coast is superstorm proof and safer than ever,” said Minister Schultz van Haegen.

In the context of the Flood Protection Program, the Scheldestromen district water board and Rijkswaterstaat have worked hard to render the coast from Breskens to Cadzand-Bad not only safe, but also more attractive. The coastal improvement has given a major impetus to an economically and demographically vulnerable region.

The municipality of Sluis has capitalized on the coastal improvement to give the beach resort of Cadzand-Bad a considerable upgrade.

A public-private collaboration has been set up to construct a marina between the new longitudinal embankments. The embankments have been topped with Xblocs to break high waves, the first time Xblocs have been used along the Dutch coast.

Climate Adaptation Dune

Near Waterdunen, a so-called climate adaptation dune has been constructed which is sufficiently high and strong to offer protection for the next 200 years. The highest dune is some 18 meters high, while the inland dune is approx. 300 meters wide.

The work on the project started at the end of 2009. The first three sub-projects (Nieuwvliet-Groede, Herdijkte Zwarte Polder, and Breskens) were completed between 2010 and 2012. The final two projects will be completed by the end of 2016.