DELTAPLAN

In the flood disaster of 1953, 1,835 people lost their lives and over 150,000 hectares of land were flooded. A Delta Commission was established to provide recommendations for the implementation of a Delta Plan that would permanently enhance safety in the Delta area. No matter how safe the area needed to become, the Nieuwe Waterweg and the Westerschelde had to remain open due to the economic importance of the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp.
To construct the primary dams at the mouths of the sea inlets, secondary dams (‘compartment dams’) would also need to be built further inland.
The storm surge barrier in the Hollandse IJssel was important for protecting the densely populated Randstad against future flooding.
Originally, the plan was also to dam the Oosterschelde. To preserve the unique saltwater environment and fish population, it was ultimately decided to equip the Oosterschelde dam with a number of sluices (62 openings each 40 meters wide), which would only be closed during extreme water levels. The construction of the Oosterschelde barrier maintains the tidal effects.
In 1987, it was decided to build the Maeslantkering and Hartelkering to protect the densely populated South Holland. The Maeslantkering consists of two large movable arms, 210 m wide and 22 m high, which can close off the Nieuwe Waterweg in the event of threatening high water. The barrier is generally open, allowing shipping traffic to and from the port of Rotterdam to pass unhindered.

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