Depoldering Noordwaard (flood plain)
Lowering the dyke will create an inflow opening.
The Noordwaard (flood plain) is being depoldered by partially digging up the dykes on the river side and reducing the size of the ring of dykes. This will allow the river Nieuwe Merwede to flow through the Noordwaard (flood plain) to the sea more swiftly at high water. Furthermore, the water safety will increase in Gorinchem.
Fort Steurgat
dyke
A27 A15
high water
high water flood area
1
2
osier thicket
high-quayed polder
N W
An innovative dyke is being built at Fort Steurgat. Creating an osier thicket will reduce the wave load on the dyke, allowing it to be constructed lower.
E S
DORDRECHT
Key to map: planning area ‘text’
modified / new situation new quay / dyke high water flood area current high-quayed polder
Following the depoldering, the high water flood area will be underwater at least several times a year (primarily during the winter months). The new situation will require the buildings to be located on existing or newly constructed dwelling mounds.
old ring of dykes 23
Nie
uw
e
rw Me
The land outside the high water flood area will remain suitable for agriculture. The current inhabitants and a proportion of the farmers will be able to continue living and working on dwelling Noordwaard (flood plain) mounds. The high water flood area itself will remain partly suitable for cattle farming.
ed e
future ring of dykes 23
1
WERKENDAM
2
Fort Steurgat
A27
Facts and figures
high water flood area
70 km of quays and dykes 50 km of new road 29 dwelling mounds and customized solutions 38 road bridges 12 pumping stations and 17 wind-powered watermills 4 million m3 surface transport (c. 300,000 x )
dyke motorway (provincial) road
National Park De Biesbosch
Planning 1 2 3 4
Effect
Project decision Preparation phase Start of work Delivering water safety
30 cm drop in water level at Gorinchem and 60 cm drop next to the inflow opening in Werkendam. Scale:
1 2009
www.roomfortheriver.nl
2 2010
3 2011
2012
4 2013
2014
0
2 km
2015 Jan 2015 / 10