File: Dike Breaches and Natural Coastal Defense

Coasts with nature-rich forelands (land outside the dikes, salt marshes, or mudflats) help protect the low-lying land behind the dikes. This is because vegetated forelands dampen wave energy during a storm. Should a dike breach occur during an extreme situation, the buffering effect of the foreland ensures that polders flood less rapidly, giving residents more time to bring themselves and their livestock to safety. Furthermore, the gaps in the defense remain small enough that the dike often stops leaking water as soon as the storm surge subsides.

Natural Coastal Protection: Past and Future

Salt marshes, mudflats, and other types of coastal wetlands form a natural defense against flooding. In addition to their water-retaining properties, these landscapes are biodiversity hotspots and capture CO2 at rates at least equal to those of forests. Moreover, they are cost-effective; with a vegetated foreland, expensive dikes do not need to be raised as much to keep pace with rising sea levels. NIOZ (Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research) is investigating how we can best protect and utilize this valuable coastal nature.

Collaboration with the Watersnoodmuseum

On February 4, 2023, the Watersnoodmuseum will commemorate the 1953 disaster with an open day for all ages. NIOZ contributes to this event with explanations regarding natural coastal defense and interactive demonstration models: 'First Aid for Dike Breaches' and 'Living Dikes'.

Everyone is welcome and admission is free.