Storm surge barriers and the path to a safe and liveable delta
Storm surge barriers are vital to safeguarding the Netherlands from rising sea levels and extreme weather events. These imposing structures, such as the Maeslant Barrier and the Eastern Scheldt Barrier, protect our country from storm surges that could otherwise threaten its low-lying delta. However, as sea levels rise and climate change accelerates, questions arise about how long these barriers will remain effective, and how they should be maintained or adapted over time.
In response to this challenge, a new project, Storm Surge Barrier Delta (SSB-Δ), funded by NWO for five years and in which Deltares is involved, aims to explore the best ways to ensure a safe and liveable delta for future generations. The research will focus not only on the technical aspects of storm surge barriers but also on the broader implications for the delta’s long-term sustainability.
The need for long-term planning
The core of the project is to assess under what circumstances storm surge barriers can continue to protect the Netherlands effectively, taking into account rising sea levels, structural decay, and changing environmental conditions. In the short term, decisions will need to be made about maintaining and preserving the existing barriers, while longer-term strategies may involve adapting or even replacing these structures.
The SSB-Δ project brings together a diverse consortium of experts from Deltares, TNO, the universities of Delft, Utrecht, and Rotterdam, as well as applied science universities in Rotterdam and Zeeland. The project also includes collaboration with Rijkswaterstaat, the Delta program, Dutch water authorities and businesses, all working together to ensure the future resilience of the Dutch delta.
Next step in knowledge development
Deltares will be leading the integrative work package "Co-creation towards Integration and Knowledge Utilization." In this project, Deltares will carry out transdisciplinary applied research, linking the findings from PhD studies, fostering collaboration between researchers and stakeholders, and transforming these insights into practical methods to extend the lifespan of storm surge barriers.
With this consortium, we can truly take the next step in the development of the knowledge needed to keep the Dutch delta safe and habitable using the current storm surge barriers. This requires technical expertise on the barriers themselves and a deeper understanding of the interaction between the storm surge barriers and the system
Esther van Baaren, expert storm surge barriers and liveability of deltas at Deltares
Looking to the future
The SSB-Δ project will not only investigate the technical lifespan of the storm surge barriers, but also examine how the delta will evolve over time, factoring in societal expectations and concerns. The goal is to produce guidelines that will help determine when and how decisions should be made in the short term, always keeping the long-term perspective in mind.
The research will provide clarity on the pathways to a liveable delta and how storm surge barriers can be integrated into that vision. By identifying the best options, it will be possible to make quicker, better-informed decisions about the future of these critical infrastructure systems.
All consortium partners
Deltares, Delft University of Technology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Utrecht University, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, HZ University of Applied Sciences, TNO, Ghent University, Delta Programma Rijnmond Drechtsteden, Delta Programma Zuidwestelijke delta, Waterschap Scheldestromen, Hoogheemraadschap van Delfland, Hoogreemraadschap Schieland & Krimpenerwaard, Waterschap Hollandse Delta, IV-Infra, Royal Haskoning DHV, Arcadis, HKV lijn in Water, PT Structural, Delta-Pi, Horvat & Partners, Texas A&M at Galverston, University of Exeter, Zeeuwse Milieufederatie, Provincie Zeeland, Coastal Protection and Flood Resilience Institute (CFI) and National University of Singapore (NUS), Delta Climate Center.