Maeslant Barrier

The Netherlands is located in a low-lying delta where large rivers such as the Rhine and IJssel run into the sea. The history of the country has been determined by the struggle against water. The Flood Disaster in 1953 was a rude awakening. Measures to prevent a repetition of the disaster were put forward in the form of the Delta Plan. This Storm Surge Barrier in the New Waterway is part of that plan. If a water level of 3.00 m above NAP is anticipated for Rotterdam the barrier has to be closed. In the event of a storm tide, the docks are filled with water so that the hollow gates start to float and can be turned into the New Waterway. Once the gates meet, the cavities are filled with water and the gates sink to the bottom, thus sealing off the 360 m-wide opening. After the high water has passed the gates are pumped out and the structure begins to float again. Once it is certain that the next high water will not be another abnormally high one, the two gates are returned to their docks.