Overdiepse polder

Client
Our climate is changing, which means that rivers are having to deal with more and more water. The Overdiepse Polder in the Province of Noord-Brabant is one of the 30 locations where the national Room for the River programme protects the river area from floods. This is being effected by lowering the existing Bergsche Maas dyke. As a result, river water can flow into the polder during flooding. Our client, the Brabantse Delta Water Board, is responsible for the preparatory and implementation phase of the Overdiepse Polder project.

Work
To ensure that the polder remains suitable for agriculture, residents and entrepreneurs have devised the mound plan. The Overdiepse Polder is enclosed by the Bergsche Maas and the Oude Maasje. A new dyke is being constructed along the Oude Maasje. To the north of this new dyke, high mounds will offer space to eight of the original 17 agricultural entrepreneurs to reconstruct their business. The other farmers will continue their businesses at other locations. Once the new agricultural businesses have been set up and all existing farms have been demolished, the current dyke on the north side of the polder will be lowered. Along the Oude Maasje, the Gantel and the Westplas lake, which is yet to be excavated, nature zones will be created to increase the range of flora and fauna. When the work is completed, cyclists and walkers will be able to explore the polder using new cycle tracks and footpaths.

Results
In late 2015, a renewed Overdiepse Polder will be available for sustainable agricultural land use and there will be more space for river water drainage. By lowering the existing dyke along the Bergsche Maas, river water can flow into the polder during flooding. On average, this will occur once every 25 years. The water level in the river will fall by approximately 27 centimetres, which will alleviate flooding in villages and towns further away.

Take a look at the Room for the River/Overdiepse polder-video.