The Climate Dike: a solution for the rising sea level
A dike of 100m wide
Climate change in the Netherlands is set to bring with it with large quantities of water. Sea levels are rising and with that comes the risk of dike breaches. The consequences of this could be disastrous. Although casualties may well be avoided, the economic damage of a major breach will be enormous and very long lasting as re-investment in risky areas will be slow.
Our solution – the Climate Dike
One simple solution is to increase the height of existing dykes, but then the risk of a breakthrough will always be present. Moreover, this solution results in high and narrow dyke tops which can be put to little use and a wide land take further reducing our valuable agricultural or development land. Our solution is the 100m wide Climate Dike which has a much reduced danger of a breakthrough. In extreme situations, at most some water may over-top it, but the consequences will be small.
Safe and viable
However, the Climate Dike offers more than just safety. The width makes it possible to use the top areas for development, nature, recreation and even transportation within the structure itself.
Collaboration
Grontmij has extensive experience in water and flood management. The concept for the Climate Dike we developed together with Wageningen University, a combination of academic knowledge with practical knowhow.