A flood control area is an area of flat land alongside a river that buffers water under extreme weather conditions. The water flows across an overflow levee and onto the area. A ring levee always protects the hinterland to prevent any residential areas from being flooded as well.
In some rivers, we build barriers to raise groundwater levels. This allows wet river nature to flourish even in dry periods. These barriers do not increase the flood risk. They only affect the river when the water is low. When the water is high, the river is above the barriers anyway.
Carrs occur in very wet places, which usually flood in winter and may only dry out superficially in summer. They are almost impassable and show a lot of variation. Tree trunks, stumps, large grass and sedge pollen and deadwood form small islands here, which act as somewhat drier havens for animals and plants.
Nesting islands are breeding grounds for birds. They can arise naturally or be created. If they are in a tidal area, they include a nutrient-rich layer of silt. This is an impassable obstacle for predators.
A breach is an opening in a water barrier or bank.
Dredge spoils are sludge that has been dredged up.
When we dredge, we deepen a fairway by removing excess sediment from the bottom of the river.
As one of Europe's busiest rivers, the Scheldt plays a prominent economic role in (international) shipping, the local economy and agriculture. Our work takes this into account so that water safety, nature and the economy can all develop alongside each other.
By giving the Scheldt and its tributaries more space, we restore their ecosystem. This gives nature a solid boost and helps us to the European conservation objectives. Ebb and flow create a unique tidal natural environment that accommodates numerous special plants and animals. Areas that are not affected by the tides are turned into wetlands. These absorb the water during heavy rainfall, only to release it again very slowly in periods of drought.
The special natural environment along the Scheldt and its tributaries offers unique recreational opportunities. We invest heavily in this to make the rivers and their surroundings even more attractive to cyclists, walkers and other recreational visitors.