WatersnoodWatersnood

“Watersnood”

WATER SNOOD-

WATER DISASTER

Dutch

English -

(the) NetherlandsNETHER LANDS-

LOWER

The Low Countries

Modern times:

• Belgium• Netherlands• Luxembourg• parts of northern France• western Germany

Historical term

Geography: Some FactsArea:• Total: 41,526 km2

• Land: 33,883 km2 – more than 50% < 1 m• Water: 7,643 km2

Coastline:• 451 km

HighestPoint 322.7 m

LowestPoint - 7 m

Flooding History

830 - 1953: More than 25 major floods

Vulnerable areas

During bad weather (storms)

31 January - 1 February 1953

Netherlands:1836 dead

• Major flood caused by a heavy storm

• Netherlands, Belgium, England, Scotland

• Tidal surge of 5.6 m

Dutch Response

• The Delta Works project

• 50 years of contruction

• Completed in 1997

• Goal: FLOOD CONTROL

• Using Sea Defenses

Sea Defenses: Dikes / Levees

Dams / Surge Barriers

Brouwers dam

Surge Barrier

Without Sea Defenses

Amsterdam

Exchange Programme