More space for the rivers

• Aardrijkskunde
• Middelbare school
• vmbo t, mavo, havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2

More space for the rivers

Learning outcome

At the end of the lesson you will know what the Room for the Rivers program entails and what measures have been taken to protect the Netherlands against flooding.

https://www.rijkswaterstaat.nl/water/waterbeheer/bescherming-tegen-het-water/maatregelen-om-overstromingen-te-voorkomen/ruimte-voor-de-rivieren#nooit-klaar

What do you already know about the Room for the Rivers program?

Introduction

The Room for the Rivers program is a plan to protect the Netherlands against flooding.

 What are the main causes of flooding in the Netherlands?

The 5 most important reasons:

1. Storm surges and sea level rise

2. High water in rivers

3. Extreme precipitation

4. Shortage of water storage and land subsidence

5. Failure of flood defenses

1. Storm surges and sea level rise

The Netherlands is located on the North Sea, making it sensitive to storm surges. During strong northwesterly storms, the sea level can rise quickly and threaten the coastline. The combination of storms and sea level rise due to climate change increases the risk of flooding. The famous flood disaster of 1953, for example, was caused by a heavy storm surge.

2. High water in rivers

Large rivers such as the Rhine and the Meuse play an important role in water drainage in the Netherlands. After periods of heavy rainfall or meltwater from the mountains in Switzerland and Germany, these rivers can fill up. High water can cause flooding, especially in winter and spring.

3. Extreme precipitation

Climate change has increased heavy rainfall. When rainfall is too heavy to be absorbed by the land or drainage systems, it can lead to local flooding. This often happens in cities, where there is a lot of paved surface, such as concrete and asphalt, which reduces the ability of rainwater to infiltrate into the ground.

4. Shortage of water storage and land subsidence

In certain areas, a shortage of water storage can reduce the ability of water to drain, which increases the risk of flooding. In addition, the soil is sinking in large parts of the Netherlands, especially in peat areas and polders, which increases the risk of flooding.

5. Failure of flood defenses

The Netherlands is highly dependent on dikes, dunes and other flood defenses to keep the water out. If these barriers fail or are damaged, for example by storms or aging, this can lead to flooding. Strict maintenance and reinforcement measures are essential to prevent this.

History

The Room for the Rivers program was started in 2006 in response to the floods in 1993 and 1995.

Measurements

The Room for the Rivers program includes various measures, such as floodplain excavations and dike reinforcements.

What are floodplains and how can floodplain excavations help prevent flooding?

Floodplain excavations

Floodplain excavations ensure that the river has more space at high water.

What are the advantages of more space for the river?

Floodplains

Dike reinforcement

Dike reinforcement is also an important measure of the Room for the Rivers program.

What is dike reinforcement and why is this important?

Dike reinforcement

Dike raising or dike reinforcement —> the Maas

▪️ The problem is often that there are many houses near the dike, dike reinforcement instead of raising it often occurs.

River widening

River widening is another measure of the Room for the Rivers program.

What is river widening and how can it help prevent flooding?

Rivier widening

Results

The Room for the Rivers program has already produced many results.

What are some of the key results?

Criticism

The Room for the Rivers program has also received criticism.

What could be points of criticism?

Future

What are the plans for the future of the Room for the Rivers program?

Conclusion

The Room for the Rivers program is an important plan to protect the Netherlands against flooding.

Extra info

Meander

River course

Meander

Meanderen

Meander

Inside bend, slow current and sedimentation

Outside bend, fast current and erosion

Erosion: scouring effect of flowing water, wind or ice

Sedimentation: process where the grains are deposited

River course

Upper

Middle

Lower

Delta

Sediment

Write this down

1. The upper reaches: high in the mountains, where the river originates. Due to the large difference in height, the river flows quickly and the erosive force is great.

2. The middle course: the middle part where the river runs through a valley where it has cut itself.

3. The lower reaches: close to the mouth where the river flows through a river plain. The current speed is low and this increases sedimentation.