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Last February (2000) our title “Brabant is fighting the water” got an extra special meaning. At that moment the state secretary, De Vries,  visited the Castle of Loevestein to reveal plans for preventing water logging in the future. In these plans, the so-called ‘calamity polders’ played an important part. These polders are areas that can serve as a place of storage for the extra water during extreme high water. Which means, land will be flood if necessary. The state secretary spoke of 18 measures mainly to create more space for storing the extra water of and helping the flow of  rivers in the Biesbosch. One of the areas mentioned in the plans is the area around Heusden and Altena. This area which houses 50.000 residents and has Woudrichem for capital, will be reconstructed thoroughly. In 1993 and 1995 the main concern was keeping the water out, now in 2000 the idea is to let the water into the polder around Heusden and Altena.

WHY…………….. All these measurements are necessary since the outlet of river water will rise tremendously over the coming years. One of the causes is a change of climate, more rain means more water. Calculations point to such great amounts of additional water that the dikes would have to be increased in height and ballast once more. Yet one can’t always go on increasing the dikes…

 

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 That’s why... measures such as Green rivers, calamity polders and deepening the rivers, are necessary

 
 
Image of the area around Heusden and Altena. One Green river will follow approximately the same route as the small stream De Alm. One of the intakes for the water is planned right near Woudrichem. Via the villages of Almkerk and Hank, the water will be carried off to the Biesbosch.
Now, what is a Green river? It is a dry river. The landscape shows dikes but no water. The land where one would expect a river is inhabited by cows. Only when the regular rivers can not handle all the water anymore, locks are opened and the wastage water can be let out via the Green rivers. Green rivers therefore are mostly another way of drainage.

Reactions………..

People living in the areas that were now planned to be ‘calamity polders’ were mad and hurt. But many politicians too were displeased. It appeared that the state secretary had been too quickly at presenting the plans in public. No consultation of the municipalities or of the Water Authorities had taken place. The dike reeve Snoek later said: “Somewhere during the communication something went very very wrong.”

 

Discussion

So as you seen not everyone is agree with the plans for a green river. But are you agree with the plans?? Give your opinion!!!

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 Somewhere near the year 2015 the decision will be made on whether Green rivers are truly necessary. If so, the landscape near Heusden and Altena will have changed completely by the year 2050. Two rivers will then have been dug. One following the route of the small river the Alm and one passing by the villages of Genderen, Meeuwen, Hand and Dussen. Between the dikes, the rivers will be about 200 meters wide. On the spots where the Green rivers are planned, no new buildings are allowed.

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