Today, we had the opportunity to visit Delta Park, where the Delta Works project showcases its work and exhibits. The Delta Works project was a series of operated pillars connected in order to block the passing of water between the North Sea and the river in order to prevent flooding. This project started right after the deadly flood on February 1st, 1953, which we learned about the other day. The engineering behind this multibillion-dollar project is huge and magnificent. We learned the process that was taken to build each of the 66 pillars and how they were carefully placed in each slot.

The process behind this was how they first built on land, where the site we visited takes place. They started each pillar 8 days after the other. This happened on land to have minimal disturbances to the ecosystem in the surrounding areas. Once they had the pillars built, they put up dikes around the area where the pillars were built and started filling it up with water. This was done in order to prevent the excess weight and lifting when putting it in the water. Each pillar weighed a total of 18,000 tons. It took a total of 3 weeks to fill up the water in order to start the process of breaking down the dike and start moving the pillars. While this happened, they started on the making of the mattresses. These mattresses are put on the bottom of the floor in order for the sea to be able to withstand the weight of all 65 pillars that were placed. They had a ship for each and every step of the process. In order to move the pillars in the water, they raised them up 4 meters so they would still be on the water and be able to move them. This is just a simple explanation of the enormous project that this was and how we can still see it. Each time the tide rises to a total of 3 meters above the dam levels in Amsterdam, they lower the steel gates that are able to withstand storm surges.

Now, more on the sustainability part of it. The measures taken in order to maintain the surrounding ecosystem are incredible, going through more trouble by building it on land and then filling it up with water as opposed to just building it on the water, disturbing the ecosystem. Moreover, the main problem that is arising and will arise in the future is how the tide is rising rapidly due to climate change. As of right now, the steel plates are closed, averaging 1–2 times a year. If the tide were to rise 1 foot, they would have to close the dam 10 times a year. Additionally, if it rises 3 feet, they will then close the dam 100 times a year. Taking an extreme amount of energy, and at that point, they will maintain it close. Hence, the river would then become a reservoir. Now, they are planning on some measures to be taken, although they have yet to find a solution to this problem. If no action is taken, they estimate that this will happen around 2070 and 2080. Overall, it was a great day from both an engineering mindset and a sustainable concept, we learned a lot!