Working together for a beautiful safe Meuse
The more than 30 people present at the excursion on the water safety task for a safe an attractive Maasvallei in Arcen were given an insight by staff of the Limburg Water Board into the introduction of a dyke right through the built-up area of the rustic village on the river Meuse. Advisor on spatial quality Keesjan van den Herik explained the dilemmas of combining economic activities and housing that take place on the river's winter bed. This has been going well for centuries, at those times when the river needs space. Over the past hundred years, the water regularly rose, flooding parts or the entire village.
How can the experts from the water board and Rijkswaterstaat, together with residents and entrepreneurs, ensure a safe and attractive solution? Technical manager Wout de Fijter witnessed the great flood in 1995 himself as a 10-year-old 'little man'. This affected him so much that he made it his profession to answer it. He led the group of more than 20 participants through the winter bed, along the centuries-old quay wall and past the temporary quays and cutters, passing through gardens and even the local restaurant. His presentation can be found attached. After the walk, innovation manager Kees Dorst explained the new technologies needed to apply and incorporate water protection measures in the Meuse Valley.
Afterwards, the water board staff received high praise for the way they are working to combine flood protection with the development of economy,recreation, landscape nature and culture.
Description
The Maas dykes need to be addressed. After the floods in 1993 and 1995, (emergency) flood defences were constructed in many places in Limburg, partly under the assumption that they were temporary measures. The emergency flood defences were constructed in the winter bed of the Meuse to protect built-up areas.
With the amended Water Act, which came into force on 1 January 2017, the flood defences in the Meuse Valley were given the same status as all other primary flood defences in the Netherlands. A giant task in the northern Meuse Valley to meet the water safety task due to the new standards and climate change.
One of the five locations with urgent dyke reinforcements is the area in Arcen. In addition to the necessary dike relocation, the design of the storage area, the dike reinforcement takes place in such a way that the dikes are immediately placed in the right place and reinforced.
The excursion starts with an explanation from the Limburg Water Board about the need for a safe and attractive Maasvallei. The landscape architect will discuss the meandering Meuse in the Maas valley, which offers both constraints and opportunities for the surrounding area. This will be followed by an explanation of the dyke reinforcement required for the Arcen dike section and the innovations in flood defences needed to meet the water safety task.
After the excursion, you will be fully informed about the regional task in the Northern Meuse Valley, as well as the latest technical developments within the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management's national high-water protection programme for this area.
The explanations will be followed by an excursion in Arcen. Participants experience the challenge of moving from temporary measures with (emergency) flood defences to measures for a robust and well-functioning water safety system. Afterwards, experiences will be shared with staff from the water board's project organisation. The afternoon will be concluded over drinks.
Speaker(s)
Keesjan van den Herik (Advisor Spatial Quality)
Wout de Fijter (Technical Manager Waterschap Limburg)
Kees Dorst (Technical Manager and Innovation Manager Waterschap Limburg)
Location
Van Soest-Jansbekenplein 3
Organiser
Construction and Hydraulic Engineering
Name and contact details for information
Gert-Jan van den Dries