Soil Investigation in the Blijkmeerpolder

As the manager of more than 1,500 kilometre regional flood defenses, the Hollands Noorderkwartier Water Board (HHNK) strives to maintain these flood defenses in a risk-based manner. To this end, the “Water Safety 2030” (WV2030) “ programme ” was launched, which uses various studies and monitoring to gain a better (demonstrable) understanding of the “ behaviour ” of our flood defenses over time (historical, current, and projected). 

Part of this “ programme ” is the monitoring study on water safety in various polders, including the Blijkmeerpolder. 

What are we going to do?

The purpose of this monitoring study is to gain a better understanding of the dike’s structure, subgrade, and strength. The focus of this study is on:

• drilling on and next to the dike;
• taking soil samples;
• installing monitoring wells (for at least 2 years) to measure the groundwater level;
• performing surveying cross-section measurements.

The locations of the soil investigations (black) and the surveying measurements (green lines) are shown on the map below.

The surveying, soil testing, and installation of monitoring wells will be carried out at the predetermined locations by the engineering firm Wiertsema & Partners.

What does this mean for you?

Prior to the monitoring study, the dike will be inspected and markers will be placed at various locations. You will regularly see vehicles belonging to the engineering firm Wiertsema & Partners. During the boring work and the installation of the monitoring well(s), the road will be partially blocked from time to time. 

Wiertsema & Partners strives to minimize traffic delays as much as possible; however, should delays occur, we ask for your understanding. 

Once the work in the Blijkmeer is complete, you will see red-marked posts at several locations in the field. These red posts are the monitoring wells that have been installed; they will remain in place at these locations for four years to monitor the area. 

Planning

The soil investigation will be conducted from Week 47 through Week 50 (starting Monday, November 16). The surveying will take place during the week of Monday, December 7 (Week 50).

Questions or comments

If you have any questions, please contact Maarten Zon (Environmental Manager) by calling 072 582 8282 or sending an email tom.zon@hhnk.nl.