Dike reinforcement Monnickendam Zeedijk

What will happen? 

Periodically, all dikes in the Netherlands are tested for safety. In 2011, parts of the dike around Monnickendam with a total length of approximately 3.9 kilometers were rejected. The section of the Waterlandse Zeedijk dike on the south side of Monnickendam must be reinforced (see illustration). This section is not part of the current work being carried out by the Alliance Markermeer Dikes (AMMD). The high water board is picking up this part of the dike.

Overview of the project area and the dike section to be reinforced (colored red).

Dike reinforcement Monnickendam Zeedijk another step further

Board of Water Board adopts best-fit reinforcement solutions

On November 5, 2024, the executive board of HHNK adopted the best-fit reinforcement solutions, so-called preferred alternatives, for the Waterlandse Zeedijk near Monnickendam. The dike section runs from the Braakje to the exit to Uitdam near the Oosterpoel and no longer meets legal safety requirements and must be reinforced. We can now further develop the reinforcement solutions. In this way, the residents along the dike and the residents in the hinterland can continue to live, work and recreate safely in the future. 

The best-fit solutions

The dike south of Monnickendam is part of the Markermeer Dikes. The reason these dike sections are not part of the current Alliance Markermeer Dikes project is because they were tested and rejected at a later date. The preferred alternatives consist of two measures to restore the dike to safety requirements. The reinforcement is partly an inward reinforcement in which the inner shoulder is widened. This solution has the greatest effect for strengthening the dike. Because of a number of houses near the dike, the inner verge cannot be widened at those locations. To make the dike safe here too, we will apply customized solutions. Near the Markgouw sports park in Monnickendam, a steel sheet pile wall will be installed. The location near the peat moor reed beds within the NNN area of the National Forest Service has also been designated as a custom location.

Working together for a safe levee

The preferred alternatives have been determined by the board of HHNK. To arrive at this determination, the environment was actively involved. In the next phase of the project, the preferred alternatives will be worked out in detail into a design. The project is part of the national High Water Protection Program (HWBP): a program in which the national government, water boards and Rijkswaterstaat work together intensively to protect the Netherlands from flooding. The high water board is also working together with the municipality of Waterland province of North Holland and the Forestry Commission.

Where does the project take place?

The Monnickendam Zeedijk dike section to be reinforced is located in the municipality of Waterland (see illustration). The section runs from Braakje to the exit to Uitdam at Oosterpoel. 

When will the project take place and how long will it take?

Dike reinforcement projects are divided into three phases: Exploration, Plan Development and Realization. The exploration phase is now complete. Plan execution will start in January 2025.

Planning

The schedule (draft) is subject to change. No rights can be derived from the schedule. 

  1. Completed: 2022-2024

    Exploration phase, getting the task clear, gathering information

  2. Still to do: 2025-2026

    Plan execution phase, further development of preferred alternative (VKA)

  3. Still to do: 2026-2027

    Realization phase, implementation of dike reinforcement

When will the environment be involved?

How we involve the environment is detailed in the participation plan. The participation plan for the Exploratory Phase can be found under the heading 'Documents' at the bottom of this page. During the Plan Execution Phase, we will again involve the local community through participation. When the plan is available, we will inform the immediate surroundings and publish it on this page. 

For more information on how a dike reinforcement works, see the book "Dikes for Beginners".

Interim review committee EIA dike reinforcement Monnickendam Zeedijk

The Waterlandse Zeedijk near Monnickendam must be reinforced due to insufficient stability. An environmental impact report (MER) is being prepared for this dike reinforcement. Part one of the report compares the effects of different solutions (alternatives). At the end of the exploration phase, the high water board chooses a preferred solution.
In the planning phase, part two of the EIA is drawn up in which the final design and an elaboration of the environmental effects are described. At the end of the planning phase, the high water board adopts the project decision. The province of North Holland must approve the final project decision.

At the request of the Water Board, the province has asked the EIA Committee to provide an interim review opinion on EIA Part 1. The EIA Commission, as an independent organization, advises on the content of environmental impact reports. The procedure and the opinions can be found on the EIA Commission's website.

The EIA Committee's opinion will be taken into account when the environmental impacts are developed in the plans.

Contact details for more information?

For more information or questions about this project, please contact us. Send an e-mail to R. van Gaalen at mdzd@hhnk.nl. Or contact us at the general number 072-582 8282.

Who do we work with?

We work together with many different parties. These include residents and entrepreneurs along the dike, the municipality of Waterland, Rijkswaterstaat, the province of North Holland and Staatsbosbeheer. We also coordinate internally within the Water Board with the Markermeer Dikes Alliance on a regular basis. 

Storymap

Clicking on the link below will take you to the storymap of the Waterland Sea Dike. The Storymap provides information and background on the history and locations of the dike through the various tabs.

View the storymap

Documents

View the notice in the Watershed Journal here