Embankment

The embankment of 'De Zwin dunes and polders' started in 1785 with the construction of the Hazegraspolderdijk. This created the Nieuwe Hazegraspolder. Two years later, the Zoutepolder was diked in by the Zoutepolderdijk. Three channels remained active on the beach plain, which regularly broke through in the first half of the 19th century. The dune brook (horse market brook) and the micro-relief in the meadow on the other side of the Graaf Leon Lippensdreef are still remnants of the westernmost channel of the three. During heavy storms, these three channels put pressure on the dikes of the Hazegraspolder and the Zoutepolder. A storm on 14-15 January 1808 made a breach in the Hazegraspolderdijk where we are now. The wheel in front of us is a remnant of this dike breach. To repair the dike breach, a Kraagdijk was erected. Later, a cycle path was built at this place and this explains the origin of this indentation! The western branch of the former Zwinestuary (also known as Smuggling Hole or Horse Market Creek) also posed a threat to the Hazegraspolderdijk and was gradually dammed from 1827 onwards. In 1849, the Smuggling Dam was built. The construction of the International Dike (1872-1873) was a final step in the history of dikes. From then on, the area was no longer under the influence of the sea. The real seawall was only built in the period from 1910 to 1943.

Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos