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"After Katrina and the New Orleans disaster come and see how the Dutch waterworks counters the threat of the sea"

© Dura Vermeer

Waterworks

As an old proverb says: God created the world but the Dutch created the Netherlands. Over 30% of the Netherlands lies below sea level. Floodings of sea and riverwater caused many victims as for example the 1953 flood disaster during which 1850 people were drowned.
The struggle against the water was both defensive, manifest by many dikes and dams, and offensive, as is shown by the many land reclamation works from as early as the 14th century.
The Delta Works are a masterpiece of engineering, but the recently completed Maeslantdam is also an example of hydraulic ingenuity. Three great Dutch hydraulic works, among which a steam pumping station are already on the Unesco World Heritage list.
Nowadays much attention must be paid to the prevention of flooding of the large rivers which flow into the North Sea. It may even be necessary to re-inundate some polders at high tide and to restore old side gullies to create overflow capacity.

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Plan of floating town in Dutch river landscape

view enlargement                     © Dura Vermeer

Amphibious houses in the river region of Holland.

The houses are built on the earthen dike, but will float in the event of flooding. In 1995 the threat of floods forced 250,000 people to leave their homes.

© International Properties

© International Properties

Book Tip
Holland, Living with water.
How water came to have a huge influence and effect on a nation's population. Full of spectacular colour photographs.
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