BRABANT FIGHTS AGAINST WATER
Zandkreekdam
De Zandkreekdam.
The
closing of the Zandkreek started with an excavation for the construction of new
locks. It has a length of 140 meter and is 20 meter wide.
These
were impressive dimensions for that time but one was looking ahead in the future
because the Veerse Meer was considered to be the back door for shipping from
Flushing to rest of the country.
The
construction of the causeway from North Beveland proceeded well on schedule and
was almost successfully completed in 1959 when The Zandkreek now being 300
meters less in width..
But
shipping is very important and cannot be obstructed. Therefore the locks must be
completed first before the creek can be completely closed.
Once
the construction of the locks were completed the final closing of the Zandkreek
could start. Before closing by caissons first fundaments/threshold had to be
constructed on the seabed. For
the construction of these thresholds they used a new method. Asphalt was used to
cover the thresholds instead of the old type willow wood sinkers.
On
the left side the sluice and on the right side the weir. Caissons
which all within a period of 4 days were deliberately scuttled on the thresholds
perform the last part of the closing from the Zandkreekdam On
5 may 1960 the moment is there.... At
exactly 2:22 hours the closure of the creek is completed. A historic moment for
the people of North Beveland, because of the closure of the creek they are
not depending anymore on the ferry boats. The
closure is also a historic moment for Rijkswaterstaat. This was the first of the
three barriers as a part of the three islands Delta plan
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