Geography of the Netherlands

Picture Modified from: www.semp.us/publications/biot_reader.php?BiotID=317

The Netherlands’ terrain consists mostly of scattered coastal lowlands. Approximately 1/4 of its land lies below sea level, making it especially vulnerable to coastal erosion and flooding. The firgure color coordinates the varying degrees of land elevation throughout the Netherlands.

Methods of Defense

Source: www.lra.louisiana.gov/assets/netherlands/NetherlandsLiveWithWater.pdf

Over 150 million Euros per year are spent on defending, reinforcing, and replenishing the Netherlands’ coastline. The figure illustrates some of these innovative hydraulic defense structures. Coastal embankments, river and storm surge barriers, natural sand dunes, and coastline sand replenishment are some of the methods the Netherlands uses to defend itself. Embankments are an artificial slope usually made of earth that resists water hazards that lead to flooding or erosion. Storm or river barriers are large adjustable gates that control the flow of water in a stream, river, or levee. Sand dunes along the coast of the Netherlands aid in protecting the coastline from wind and water erosion.

1953 Flood / Delta Works

Source: condition.org/sm5916

After the great 1953 flood of the southwestern region of the Netherlands, a Delta Works plan was implemented to avoid another catastrophe by preventing any future flooding or coastal recession of the southwest deltas. The figure to the left highlights areas affected by the 1953 flood, and the multitude of dams and barriers constructed. These structures revolutionized the defensive measures taken against coastal erosion.

Dune and Coastline Management

Source: www.lra.louisiana.gov/assets/netherlands/NetherlandsLiveWithWater.pdf

The Netherlands has advisory groups which implement coastal managment policies aimed to prevent the landward retreat of the coast. The current policy is tasked with maintaining the consistency of the 1990 coastline. Holding the position of that coastline requires 6 million cubic meters of sand per year. The figures above illustrate methods of dredging used to replenish the volume of the Netherlands coastline which runs for 350 kilometers. Through dredging, sand is collected from distant sites, transported, then either distributed by ship or pipeline to the beach.