Netherlands advances major dike reinforcement and flood protection projects

The Netherlands is advancing major hydraulic engineering projects to strengthen its coastal defenses against rising sea levels and extreme weather.

Work has commenced on the reinforcement of the IJsselmeerdijk. A consortium including Boskalis Nederland and Van Oord has begun placing sand in Lake IJsselmeer to create a foundation for a new foreshore and ecological zone. The project, part of the national Hoogwaterbeschermingsprogramma, aims to reduce wave impact on the 17.6-kilometre dike while supporting local nature through shallow-water and reed areas.

Separately, the large-scale reinforcement and modernization of the Afsluitdijk has reached a milestone with the commissioning of a new pumping station and discharge sluices at Den Oever. The Levvel consortium, including Van Oord, BAM, and Rebel, strengthened the 32-kilometre dike to increase water discharge capacity from Lake IJsselmeer to the Wadden Sea by 45%. The upgrades also include new storm surge barriers and a fish migration river to facilitate movement between the lake and the sea.