Depoldering and maintenance Noordwaard
Example of our innovative, integrated water approach
At the beginning of 2011, Combinatie Noordwaard signed the contract from Rijkswaterstaat to start depoldering the Noordwaard (execution 2012-2015). Noordwaard Combination was formed to approach the project integrally and consisted of Boskalis, Martens and Van Oord, Van Hattum and Blankevoort and Gebr. Van Kessel Maintenance. The project was completed in 2015. Gebr. Van Kessel Maintenance has been carrying out maintenance in the Noordwaard since 2015.
Depoldering Noordwaard - space for the river
The Netherlands is well protected against water, but that is not self-evident. The central government, provinces, municipalities and water boards therefore worked together on a new Delta Plan through the Delta Programme. The Room for the River Noordwaard project was a good example of the innovative, integrated water approach.
The Noordwaard is located on the Nieuwe Merwede, west of the municipality of Werkendam and north of the Biesbosch National Park. In 5 years, the polder has been reorganized and changed from an area inside the dike to an area outside the dike. Taking the 1905 topographic map as a starting point, the old creek system has been restored and old cultural-historical elements, such as quays and dikes, have been accentuated. In the flow area and along creeks (to be restored), (new) nature could develop on a limited scale. The water in the polder was therefore no longer protected by a primary flood barrier, but became part of the Nieuwe Merwede catchment area at water levels above NAP +2.0 meters. Due to the open connections with both the Gat van de Noorderklip on the southeast side and the Nieuwe Merwede on the north side, the depoldered Noordwaard also came under the influence of daily tidal action.
Soil types
Before the start of the project, extensive soil research was carried out. It was known that the soil was sensitive to settlement and that we would have to deal with many different soil types, as many as 15. Sometimes this even varied per meter and as a result the design and soil flow plans were continually adjusted. This demanded a lot from the team, because the new situation had to be anticipated again and again.