A test dike has been blown up on the military training area De Marnewaard in Groningen. This is a test of the Polder2Cs research project to see how water behaves when a dike is blown up.
During a high water crisis, as an emergency measure, a hole can be punched in a dike with explosives so that the excess water flows to storage areas. In this way, other parts of the dike can be protected.
“The scenario we have in mind is high water for a longer period of time, causing the dikes to soften and become weaker. As a result, a part of the dike is about to break. If that happens, the hinterland will flood. What we then have to do is see whether we can remove the water from that weak spot, so that the hinterland remains protected,” Marc Balemans of Defense told RTV Noord.
The test will examine, among other things, the size of the hole and how it can be closed again, reports knowledge center for water boards STOWA.
The trial was initiated by the Ministry of Defense in collaboration with Water Board Noorderzijlvest. Flood safety organizations from Belgium, France and England, among others, participated in the trial.
Satisfied
Deputy dike chief Eisse Luitjens of the water board looks back with satisfaction on the test: “‘If something needs to be flooded, that can also be done this way, we now know.”
Today’s test is part of a series of tests. A total of four million liters of water has flowed away. The water board’s ditch system absorbs all the water.
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