10 Years of Hondsbossche Duinen
The Hondsbossche Duinen are celebrating their 10th anniversary. This new part of the Netherlands was created using a (at the time) innovative method of dike reinforcement. This resulted in the creation of a beach and dune landscape in a place where none had existed before. Today, on the 10th anniversary, HHNK and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W) have confirmed their collaboration on the new maintenance strategy. This means that the Hondsbossche Dunes will continue to be maintained through sand replenishment over the next 10 years. The goal is to protect the inland areas from flooding.
The agreement on the collaboration was symbolically confirmed by Jaap Slootmaker (Director-General for Water and Soil at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management) and Arnold Langeveld (member of the HHNK Water Board). Both organizations, each with their own responsibilities for local water safety, will cover a portion of the costs. The beach nourishment projects will be carried out by Rijkswaterstaat.
Arnold Langeveld: “The coastal landscape continues to evolve at the Hondsbossche Duinen. The sea is steadily encroaching on the land. By working together with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and Rijkswaterstaat, we are ensuring that the coast here remains safe for the next 10 years. Water safety is the top priority in the new maintenance strategy. After these 10 years, maintenance of the Hondsbossche Duinen will be incorporated into the national programme .”
Bregje van Beekvelt, Chief Engineer and Director of Rijkswaterstaat West-Nederland Noord: “Sand moves with nature. Through beach nourishment, we give nature the space it needs to protect our land from the power of the sea. We use this sand to help nature protect our hinterland from the sea in the long term and prevent the Netherlands from shrinking. It serves as a flexible buffer between the sea and the hinterland.”
Beach and Dunes
Marco Wiesehahn, alderman for the municipality of Bergen: “Nature constantly presents us with new challenges. Especially here at the Hondsbossche seawall. The fact that, despite the eroding coastline, we have managed to restore coastal safety together is, of course, of great importance to the entire region. The fact that we will also continue to have recreational and natural beaches at Camperduin and Petten is good news for our local economy and biodiversity. However, the future of the lagoon remains uncertain. We will continue to work together to explore opportunities for its preservation.”
From the dike to the dune
The new Hondsbossche Dunes were created when it became clear that the Pettemer and Hondsbossche Seawalls no longer met water safety requirements. Forthe first time in history, the decision was made to reinforce the seaward side. Sand from the North Sea was deposited in front of the dike. This transformed the seawall from a hardened structure into a landscape of beaches and dunes. With a safe coastline, thriving nature, and recreational opportunities, the Hondsbossche Dunes have proven to be a great success.
Beach nourishment for a safe coastline
The purpose of the sand replenishment projects carried out by Rijkswaterstaat was to maintain the coastal foundation, as is done along the entire Dutch North Sea coast. At the Hondsbossche Duinen, however, the newly deposited sand appears to be washing away more quickly than anticipated at several locations. As a result, part of the beach and the dunes is disappearing. Without sand replenishment, water safety could be jeopardized in the long term. That is why HHNK and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management have agreed on a new maintenance strategy. Due to erosion, the coastline is expected to gradually shift further inland. Sand replenishment ensures that the coast remains safe, now and in the future.
