Dike reinforcement Nauernasche Vaart West

What will happen?

HHNK ensures safe dikes in the management area between North Sea Canal and Texel. We regularly check whether the dikes are still safe. Because of more extreme weather conditions, the checks and requirements for this have been tightened. The test showed that parts along the west side of the Nauernasche Vaart no longer meet the legal safety requirements. The dike has mostly been rejected for inward stability (strength) and here and there for height. For several years the dike has been reinforced in various places. We are doing this to prevent extra deformation and to ensure that everyone can live, work and recreate safely in the future. The last sections are expected to be reinforced in 2026.

Where does the project take place?

The project is located in the municipalities of Uitgeest/BUCH and Zaanstad and begins in the Krommenian Woudpolder near Stierop. The project continues via the Noordervaartdijk towards the Vaartdijk and Zuidervaartdijk to the N246 and ends in the village of Nauerna. The project is divided into 9 sections. The drawing gives an overview of the sections with a recognizable building or artwork in each section.

What's ahead in 2025?

Section 2 - Noordervaartdijk 

Along the dike reinforcement project Nauernasche Vaart we are working with the Municipality of Zaanstad on section 2 (between Taandijk and pumping station De Zwerver). The planning phase has started. In December 2024 we presented the sketch design to residents. Residents will be personally approached for individual interviews to discuss the impact on their home/boat or plot. We then want to have the final design ready by the end of 2025. By then we also want to have completed the permit procedures. The start of implementation is tentatively planned for 2026. Below is an overview of the most frequently asked questions.

What has been accomplished in recent years?

In recent years, work and improvements have been completed on various sections along the entire route. The following provides an overview:

Section 1 - Bike path along the Markervaart and mill the Woudaap

The dike was too low. In early 2017, HHNK renewed the bike path along the Markervaart in polder de Woude for this purpose. Concrete slabs were used that are very long-lasting and can be reused with the next dike improvement. This gives them a lifespan of up to 60 years. In 2021, the inner side of the dike along Zwaansmeerpad was brought up to strength. Realization took place in the spring of 2021 and, due to long settlement times, was completed in the last quarter of that year. 

Section 4 - Vaartdijk between the Forbo and the S154.

In 2018, the cables and pipes were bundled into one channel and the dike reinforcement on the polder side was completed in 2019. 

Section 5 - Vaartdijk between the Forbo and the Water Tower

In March 2021, two inlets were renewed in Section 5. Two more inlets were renewed in May. At the end of September 2020, the road surface from Vaartdijk 28 to the Water Tower was resurfaced, ensuring road safety on the dike for the foreseeable future. 

Strengthening outer side of dike

The unsafe condition of the road was largely caused by the poor outside (basin side) of the embankment. In October 2020, the contractor coated the outer side of the dike with a layer of clay and concrete mats were installed to protect the bank. 

Section 6 - Section along the bike path toward the Vrouwenverdriet lock.

November 2017, the contractor raised the dike north of the Vrouwenverdriet lock by applying approximately 20 cm of clay soil. This puts this stretch back in order for the next 20 years.

Section 8 and 9 - Dike improvement in the village of Nauerna

In the village of Nauerna, work on both the north and south sides of the dike was carried out in the second quarter of 2021. On the north side along the Nauernasche Vaart, over about 40 meters the basin side from the water was repaired with clay and concrete mats and a tumble dike was constructed. The existing clinker road was provided with rainwater drainage and repaved. On the south side, along the Noorder IJ and Zeedijk, the inner verge was improved over a length of approximately 120m. 

Can I access my houseboat or home as usual during the work?

The work is going to have a significant impact on your living environment. As it looks now, all houseboats in the area where we are working will have to be temporarily relocated to another berth a little further down the canal. We think this will take up to 1 year. The contractor, who will do the work for us, will work this out further in a plan. We are doing everything we can to make sure the relocation goes as smoothly as possible for you.  

Residents of the houses on the landside will also experience inconvenience. The homes will remain accessible, but possibly temporarily not by car, motorcycle or scooter.  

Furthermore, all local residents should expect overall inconvenience (noise, construction traffic, mud) due to the work.  

What about facilities such as power and water at the temporary site? Will this be taken care of?

At the temporary moorings, all connections for water, electricity, etc. will be arranged. There are no additional costs for you here.  

What happens to my little garden, shed or parking spot on the dike?

We will have a personal discussion with the residents of the houseboats. We look at your living situation and any wishes you may have. Do you have a lease or permit for a garden, shed or parking space? Then these will be returned to the dike. Do you not have a lease or permit? Then we will see if it is possible to make arrangements within the existing regulations and to lay them down in a (rental) agreement. We will discuss this in the individual interviews. 

You will receive timely notice about the removal of objects on the dike near your houseboat. Should you not be able to do this yourself, the contractor will remove them. The contractor will also reinstall them if you have a lease or permit.  

What happens to my jetties and floating storages?

Again, we discuss your personal situation and wishes and see if it is possible to make arrangements within the existing regulations and put them in writing.  

How long will the work take?

We reckon about a year and a half total. 

What will the dike look like soon? Will it be much wider/higher?

The dike will be raised along its entire length. At several locations on the side of the Nauernasche Vaart where houseboats and barges are located, we will install a steel sheet pile wall. At the other locations we will construct an embankment. On the landward side (the side of the houses), we will install a retaining structure and where possible a retaining berm. This is on the side of the houses. There will also be embankments on the crest of the dike.  

Will I still be able to park on the dike soon? Is there room for additional parking?

All official parking spaces will be returned. We will keep the municipal parking standard. That means there may be more parking spaces on the levee. This will become clear in the next phase, when we will make a preliminary design.  

Will I soon be able to put my rowboat anywhere along the dike?

This is only possible if you have a lease from the municipality. There will be jetties for pleasure boats. Probably the mooring fee will be raised slightly.  

What can residents think about?  

Residents can respond to the sketch design now and later to the preliminary design. Then we will also look at the layout on top of the dike, for example with benches, a footpath and parking spaces. We are also holding individual discussions with residents of houseboats and houses directly behind the dike about their living environment during and after the work. 

Can I comment/object?

You can object to the requested permits by HHNK and Gemeente Zaanstad. We will timely inform you how and when you can do this.  

Section 7 - Vrouwenverdriet junction N246

The access road along Vrouwenverdriet heads toward the N246 (marked in red on the drawing). There is a significant height deficit here, which leads to custom solutions along the access road and the N246. We are in contact with the residents about the solution direction. HHNK is also discussing this with the Province of North Holland.

Who do we work with?

We are collaborating in this project with the municipalities of Zaanstad and Uitgeest, utility companies, the recreation board and business owners.

Contact details for more information

Do you have questions or need more information about this levee reinforcement project? Please feel free to contact us. The environmental manager Carola Beers can be reached for this project via the contact form and by phone (via our Customer Contact Center) on working days 072 - 582 8282.

What policy underlies the project?

The Water Board takes care of the dikes in North Holland. We regularly check whether they are still safe. Because of climate change - it rains harder and longer - the checks and requirements have been tightened. To protect our polders now and in the future from the water from the storage basin, we improve the dikes in the management area. Through this work, we ensure that the dike once again meets the national requirements for water safety.

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