‘Waterschap Limburg’ is realizing a special solution for water protection in Steyl (Limburg). A self-closing flood barrier will be built here. This is a barrier that rises by itself at high tide without human intervention. This barrier floats on innovation. Last Monday, the parties involved gave the official starting signal for the construction of this powerful piece of ingenuity.
Such a special structure has never been made in the Netherlands before. In terms of technology and size, the flood barrier in Steyl, based on an idea by Vlotterkering BV, takes the crown. When the Maas water level is normal, the barrier will be at rest and hidden in a square. The view of the Maas and Steyl will then remain intact. During high tide, the deck will float and the part of the square that is water-retaining will rise by itself. About 140 meters of a self closing water barrier with a height of 3 meters will protect Steyl – and the area behind it – against high tides.
Innovative and reliable
Jeroen Achten, executive member of Waterschap Limburg: “Steyl is an important link in the protection of Venlo and Tegelen against high tides, even though it is only a small part of the entire dike section. Given that the barrier that stood there was weak and didn’t offer proper protection for the future, this location was high on our list to tackle. The barrier we are creating now is not only innovative, but also very strong and high. And that’s what we need here.”
Reinforcement of dikes needed in Limburg
Erik Wagener, director of the Program for High Tide Protection, said, “In order to preserve the government-protected villagescape of Steyl, the largest self-closing flood barrier in the Netherlands is being installed here. This is a unique situation in the Netherlands. I love how this customized solution was developed together with the market. Limburg is working hard to strengthen its dikes. And that is necessary. In all the places where it was critical 2.5 years ago, we are working together with Waterschap Limburg.”
Construction work in Steyl to be completed by the end of 2024
During this next year, work continues in Steyl. First on the self-closing flood barrier and from the middle of next year on the layout of the square. Dijkzone Alliantie is carrying out the work. This contractor combination, consisting of the companies Ploegam, Dura Vermeer and Hollandia Infra, will build its Vlotterkering® in Steyl. By the end of next year (2024) the work will be completed and Steyl will be floodproof for the future.
High Tide Protection Program
The dike reinforcement in Steyl is part of the national High Tide Protection Program. The largest dike reinforcement operation since the Delta Works. In this program, water management organizations and Rijkswaterstaat will improve more than 2,000 kilometers of dikes throughout the Netherlands over the next thirty years. About 175 km of these are located in Limburg.
Waterschap Limburg works every day to strengthen dikes to continue to protect residents and businesses in the Maas valley from future floods. This requires an intelligent collaboration with partners and stakeholders. Together we determine what is important for the area. In this way we are building a flood-proof and attractive Limburg Maas landscape for the future.
For more information about the dyke reinforcement in Steyl, visit www.waterschaplimburg.nl/dijkversterking-steyl-maashoek.
