Let’s bring in the floods: de-poldering in the Netherlands as a strategy for long-term delta survival?

Abstract

Controlled flooding, while heavily contested, is being experimented with in the Dutch delta as a new and ecologically oriented strategy to deal with floods, in contrast to the conventional flood prevention paradigm. The Noordwaard project (2012–15) represents an exemplary case. At the expense of agricultural practices, land is set aside occasionally to accommodate river floods, while restored flood and tidal dynamics aim to benefit nature development. It is argued that although controlled flooding aims to restore historical land and water dynamics in the area, the role of sedimentation processes has remained largely unaddressed in relation to shaping long-term delta futures.

Keywords:

• deltas
• flood management
• technological lock-in
• de-poldering
• controlled flooding
• the Netherlands

Notes

1. A delta can be defined as ‘the area where two different systems – river and sea – both with important influences on the morphology of the land, meet and influence each other’ (Meyer, 2009, p. 432).

2. Reconnecting embanked polders to a river or sea in order to (re)introduce water and flood dynamics (cf. Schut et al., 2010).

3. A ‘Dutch’ collective term for active (guided and regulated) and passive (encouragement) restoration and management of nature in the Netherlands (Van den Berg & Koole, 2006).

4. For a contrasting opinion see Stijnen et al. (2014), who argue that the Dutch polder approach may be technically and economically sustainable until 2100. 

5. A national programme with the objective of developing adaptive delta management strategies in response to expected (climate change-related) challenges in the field of flood protection and safeguarding supply of fresh water in the Dutch delta (Deltaprogramma, 2012b)

6. A distinction is made between the Noordwaard region, when the larger area is concerned. When ‘the Noordwaard’ alone is mentioned, it refers to the de-poldering project of the Noordwaard polder (4500 ha) located in the centre of the region, wedged between separated Biesbosch wetlands.

7. One of the proposed dams of the Delta Works, closing off the Haringvliet estuary, constructed in the years before the ‘ecological turn’ took place.

8. Staatsbosbeheer, founded in 1899 with a focus on forest restoration, is the biggest organization managing nature reserves in the Netherlands (http://www.staatsbosbeheer.nl/).

9. Natuur Ontwikkelings Project (Nature Development Project).

10. For the most relevant studies, see Bureau Benedenrivieren (2004) and RIZA (2001).

11. A green river merely consists of two dikes through a landscape, which could become operational to discharge water from another river (cf. Schut et al., 2010).

12. Classification of alternatives: unacceptable, controversial or non-controversial.

13. Interview with the former chairperson of the Association of Residents.

14. Interview with the former chairperson of the Association of Residents.

15. Interview with the former chairperson of the Association of Residents.

16. Platform Behoud Noordwaard (Platform for the Preservation of the Noordwaard) was formed in 2004 by farmers who did not agree with the layout and design plans for the Noordwaard and who did not feel well-represented.

17. Interview with Rijkswaterstaat.

18. Interview with Rijkswaterstaat.