Combatting high water
Water management in the Netherlands is a constant source of concern. With the changing climate and the prospect of increased water discharge via rivers some drastic measures must be taken to keep the Netherlands safe and dry. Most water problems are the direct cause of human intervention, including the straightening of brooks, decreasing the flood areas along rivers or the canalisation of river courses. To find a real solution for high water, measures must be taken in the entire catchment of the river, from source to estuary. The possibilities for the restoration lie in the source areas, along the brooks and along the rivers. We are looking for sustainable solutions for high waters in all these parts of our river systems along their entire courses, which will also contribute to the development of nature and landscape. We are involved in creating side channels, lowering the banks along the rivers, broadening the natural courses of brooks and restoring the marshes near the source.
ARK contributed to various views on protection against high water.
- WWF's report 'Bergen van water' [Storing water] gives a succinct answer to the question of what role nature management can have in the entire basin of our large rivers.
- The report 'Stromende berging' [Flowing Storage] elaborates on retaining water along the courses of brooks.
- The report 'Rijzende zomp' [Rising Swamps] outlines what prospects fens and moorlands hold for water retention.
- The report 'Bergen bij de bron' [Storing water near the source], written on behalf of ARK and WWF Netherlands, deals extensively with the problems of low and high waters in the Rhine and the Meuse.
