Sigma Plan working to keep Flanders safe from flooding

Because of climate change and rising sea levels, it is crucial to keep investing in the Sigma Plan. The Sigma Plan is about higher and wider levees, a chain of flood areas along tidal rivers (FCA and FCA-CRT) and local depoldering. This is how we protect the entire region of Flanders from flooding from those tidal rivers at storm tides. A storm tide happens when a spring tide in the Sea Scheldt Basin coincides with a (north)westerly storm on the North Sea. We are also restoring the natural bends or meanders of the rivers in certain places. That is because they are natural buffers during periods of high precipitation. In summer, they also stop areas from getting too dry, just like barriers on the riverbed.

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.

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.