Our second day in Rotterdam and so far my favorite visit on the trip occurred at the Deltaworks in the southern coast of the Netherlands. The project was built as a response to the 1953 flood in order to regulate the water level during storms. The Netherlands is mostly below sea level, so any sudden changes to the water system that moves the water level above the capacity of the dikes can result in significant flooding. The Deltaworks solves this by allowing space for water flow through the structure under normal water conditions and having a storm surge barrier that moves to close this space when the water level is dangerous. As a result, marine life can go back and forth between the sea and the harbor with minor changes in the environment. While this system is fascinating, I’m not sure about the feasibility of implementing it in the US in regions where flooding is due to Hurricanes, I’m curious about if the limits of the Deltaworks could be expanded.
As a whole, it cost about 6 billion euros with a large portion(around 4 billion) accounting for the construction of the storm surge barrier system. While the decision was costly, a number of factors went into choosing this over a dam or altering existing dikes. First, one of the ideas to increase the height of all the dikes to accommodate higher water levels was deemed too expensive, and with the rising sea levels, I believe it was probably for the best. Second, while a dam would account for unexpected rises in water levels, there were concerns about how completely blocking off the water in the Netherlands from the sea would affect the water ecosystem and biodiversity, especially for fishermen. Economically, it was deemed worth it to spend the extra money and I agree with the decision. However, even with the flexibility of the storm surge, it’s still only built for a certain water level and as the years go on will need to be replaced. While it may not be a pressing matter in this decade, the Deltaworks is an ongoing project. Students are the ones that will have to continue to build upon the Deltaworks, which is what makes education so important.
Today, the area is home to multiple displays and exhibits intended to teach about the Deltaworks project and what it protects. We went on a boat tour around the harbor, visited the aquariums and seal exhibits that show the biodiversity of the area, went into a wind storm simulation, and there was even a water park that was built to show the different ways water is moved through simple engineering. The way the park explains the history and principles behind the project is great for all ages and promotes sustainability education. The Deltaworks as a whole is another great example of how water management and naval engineering is engraved into the culture and environment of the Netherlands. Overall, it was a great experience and I’m honestly looking forward to learning more about water resources in the next couple years.