Willemspolder

The Willemspolder is not a pristine area. The land has been reclaimed from the river through reclamation and the construction of dikes and embankments. Annual high waters and remnants of historical dike breaches show that the Waal is the dominant factor in the area and will remain so. The Waal is a true working river, clearly illustrated by the busy shipping traffic, the overnight harbor, and the brick factory locations. This image is reinforced by the existing infrastructure, such as the Prince Willem-Alexander Bridge and the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal.

During high water, the area functions as a flow and storage area. In the Willemspolder, there are several clay pits and former sand extraction lakes. Furthermore, the vast majority of the floodplain is used for agricultural purposes. Various floodplains in the vicinity are being redesigned.

The redesign of an area like the polder at IJzendoorn is a large project. Partly to increase the water discharge through the Waal. By extracting sand, gravel, and clay in the short and medium term, the intention is to design the polder for the benefit of nature development, recreational co-use, and improved water discharge in the long term. The existing business purpose in the floodplains is also being revitalized for the benefit of transshipment and processing of construction materials, generation of sustainable energy, and port development.

The natural value of the Willemspolder is currently still low considering the intensive agricultural use. The Willemspolder project phase 1 can contribute to achieving the nature goals for the Waal from the WFD program, among others, through the construction of nature-friendly banks and flowing channels. Additionally, it is being investigated how the area design can respond to the conservation objectives of the Natura 2000 area Rhine branches and the development of the Gelderland Nature Network and Green Development Zone.

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