Zuidelijk deel (Zw Delta) (BO-11-015-032)

The Delta Programma aims to keep the Netherlands safe against high water and to ensure an adequate freshwater supply, today and in the future. The South-western Delta is the area that encompasses Zeeland, the Zuid-Holland islands and the western part of Noord-Brabant. Since the catastrophic flood in 1953, the Delta Works have offered protection and good infrastructure links. But there is a downside to the Delta Works in terms of the impact on nature, water quality and the economy. In addition, the region is under pressure due to the rise in sea level and higher river discharges in the future. A adequate supply of freshwater is not a matter of course in the long term. The task for the South-western Delta sub-programme is to ensure there is a climate-proof and safe, ecologically resilient and economically healthy south-western delta. The South-western Delta sub-programme is the responsibility of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The state, provinces, municipalities and water boards are working together with knowledge institutions, civil society organisations, the business community and the public in the sub-programme, which is focused on the mid- term (2020-2050) and the long term (up until 2100).

Two promising strategies have also been elaborated in the Delta Programme for the south-western delta: continuing the current policy and optimising the current strategy. The current strategy consists of strengthening and raising the height of the dikes. Optimisation can be achieved by supplementing the dike strengthening with innovative dike concepts, like sand suppletion, the use of oyster reefs or halophytes, and robust designs like climate dikes and double dikes. In addition to safety from flooding, these concepts also provide opportunities for recreation and tourism, nature and the living environment. This research focusses on sediment options for the South-western Delta sub-programme. It researches what options exist that warrant safety and provide additional opportunities for ecology and recreation.

2e tranche Kwantitatief onderzoek Oosterschelde(kering)

Purpose of this project is to perform additional safety calculations for the Oosterschelde.

The project builds on questions which emanated from the knowledge agenda ZWD, the expert meeting of January 9th, 2013 in Goes, where the results of the sediment research 2012 were presented and the "Systemanalysis Oosterschelde":

• tipping points: until which point (in time) will the effects of the proposed measures or strategies be sufficient and when will the measures no longer work.
• Hydraulic calculations will be performed to clarify which conditions may be expected when the present geometry in the Oosterschelde will be maintained as well as a number of management scenarios: the role of the storm surge barrier for long term safety and funcionality, tidal volumes, water speed, sediment transports, wave hights etc.
• creating an inventory and a classification of dike stretches and dams with problems where wave levels, stability (construction, foreland) is included.