3.9 - Deltawerken (Netherlands)

Question 1

How low-lying is The Netherlands?

Answer 1

Very: 26% below sea level

Question 2

What is the SLR since 1900?

Answer 2

19cm

Question 3

What is the rate of subsidence per year?

Answer 3

~8mm/yr

Question 4

What was the cause of the February 1953 Great Flood?

Answer 4

A mid-latitude depression had moved south through the North Sea, generating a 5m storm surge.

Question 5

What percentage of land has the sea inundated of Holland’s land area?

Answer 5

17%

Question 6

What is the flood-prone projection of urban areas by 2100?

Answer 6

30-125%

Question 7

What percent of the population are living on flood-prone land?

Answer 7

66%

Question 8

€7 billion is annually spent on what?

Answer 8

Water management costs + incremental €2 billion

Question 9

How much farmland has been destroyed?

Answer 9

10%

Question 10

How many have been confirmed dead and displaced as a result of the coastal issue?

Answer 10

• 1,836 dead

- 72,000 displaced

Question 11

Why was farmland deliberately flooded?

Answer 11

To lower river water level

Question 12

How were marshlands built up?

Answer 12

By installing ‘polders’ / low-walled dykes.

Question 13

How large was the storm surge barrier?

Answer 13

9km

Question 14

What engineering projects and strategies are being considered and played?

Answer 14

• Floating houses / cities on hollow concrete pontoons.

- Mobile storm surge barrier.