Harbor embankment

Once every 12 years, all dikes in the Netherlands are assessed for water safety. The Havendijk, bordering the Nieuwe Diep in Den Helder, was assessed in 2021. The dike is not safe enough in a number of places. 

In 2023, we (as the dike administrator) began determining what is needed to design the dike in such a way that it once again meets the standards and is safe enough. We call this the reinforcement task. Since this is a primary flood defense (the dike protects residents from seawater), the project has been included in the national High Water Protection Program (HWBP).

This does not concern developments surrounding the Dijkkwartier, which is a separate project in which we, as a water board, are involved from a water safety perspective.

Harbor embankment along Het Nieuwe Diep

The 2. kilometre Havendijk along the Nieuwe Diep in Den Helder (a primary flood defense) protects 1.2 million North Holland residents from high water from the Wadden Sea. The latest round of testing in 2021 and additional calculations made in 2023 have shown that part of the dike (655 m) no longer meets the legal standard set for water safety. This concerns a section spread across the Havendijk between the Paleiskade and the Koopvaardersschutsluis.

The image below shows the locations of the dike reinforcement where a task is required. No rights can be derived from this drawing.

What's going on?

The dike no longer meets water safety standards in a number of places due to several technical defects, also known as 'failure mechanisms'. This applies to the former 'pilotage building' (Visafslag subarea) and at Het Nieuwe Diep and Het Nieuwe Werk.

In a number of places, the dike no longer meets the requirements for inward and outward stability. A dike is not watertight. If the dike becomes saturated with water on the inside, the dike body can become unstable and slide. In addition, the revetment is no longer adequate in some places along the dike. The (street) stones can become loose and be washed away by waves.

What are we going to do?

Dike reinforcement projects are divided into three phases: exploration, plan development, and implementation. The exploration phase took place in 2023 and 2024. During this phase, various alternatives were devised and developed to make the dike safe again. From these alternatives, the preferred alternative (VKA) was selected at the end of 2024. This VKA is the most suitable solution to bring the dike back into compliance. A VKA was developed for each sub-area of the Havendijk. The exploratory phase was completed in early 2025 with the adoption of the VKA by the HNK board.

For the fish auction, a sealing layer is being applied to make the outer side of the dike more watertight.

For Het Nieuwe Diep, outward stability will be improved by replacing the quay structure, combined with a widening of the quay area, where the existing clinkers will be replaced by heavier paving so that it is more resistant to waves.

At Het Nieuwe Werk, the existing pavers on the entrance and exit ramps will also be replaced with a heavier covering.

The project is currently in the plan development phase. In this phase, the VKA is being developed in detail into a technical design. In order to do this properly, detailed information about the area is required. That is why various studies are being carried out. For example, research into protected animals and plants, the presence of archaeology unexploded ordnance, and the composition of the subsoil. The planning phase will be concluded with the project decision and the most important permits required to make this project possible. The project decision describes what the project will look like and provides insight into the measures and facilities in the physical living environment that are needed to realize the project.

Would you like to know more about what is involved in dyke reinforcement? Then take a digital look through the bookDykes for Beginners.

Widening of the Nieuwe Diep quay

In 2024, Arnold Langeveld (HHNK), Fotigui Camara (Den Helder municipality), and Kees Turnhout (Port of Den Helder) signed the cooperation agreement 'Verbreding Kade Het Nieuwe Diep' (Widening of the Het Nieuwe Diep Quay). Thanks to the water board's dike reinforcement, the dike now meets the required water safety standards. In addition, we also want to contribute to the future developments of the port of Den Helder. This will be done by taking into account a wider quay, the future deepening of the channel, and a good connection to Het Nieuwe Werk in the design of the dike. Clear agreements have been made in the cooperation agreement regarding the implementation and distribution of the costs of this work.

Planning

The exploratory phase will be completed in early 2025 with a finalized VKA. The plan development phase will then commence, during which the VKA will be worked out in detail and the necessary permits will be applied for. This will be followed by the implementation phase, which is expected to start in 2026/2027.

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

Review of the information meeting on October 14, 2025

On Tuesday, October 14, a successful information meeting was held at Den Helder City Hall about the reinforcement of the Havendijk dike. During this evening, we presented the final design for the dike reinforcement and discussed the effects of the work on the surrounding area, the measures to limit disruption, and the further course of the permit process.

The turnout and atmosphere were very positive. More than thirty interested parties came to hear about the progress of the project. We explained how the design has been further developed over the past few months based on various studies. In addition, we discussed the phasing of the implementation of the work.

The effects on the environment have been carefully discussed. We do not expect any effects during the operational phase, as the function of the quay will remain the same as it is now. However, there may be some effects during the construction phase. We are therefore taking appropriate measures, such as using electric equipment, monitoring vibrations and groundwater levels, and working during normal hours.

Finally, the process surrounding the project decision was explained. This is the most important licence to carry out the work. The reports and studies will be made available for inspection at the beginning of next year. Interested parties will then have the opportunity to view them and ask questions during specially organized question and answer sessions.

The meeting concluded with an interactive question and answer session, which was well utilized.

Who do we work with?

We collaborate with many different parties, including residents and businesses along and on the dike, the municipality of Den Helder, Rijkswaterstaat, the province of North Holland, the Maritime Cluster, the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Ministry of Defense, and the Port of Den Helder.

Questions and contact

If you have any questions, please contact us via ourcontact formor call our general number: +31 (0)72-582 8282 and ask for the environmental manager Stefan van den Helder.

Newsletter

Would you like to stay informed? Then sign up for our digital newsletter. We will keep you informed of developments several times a year. You can sign up by sending an email to: havendijk@hhnk.nl, stating 'newsletter' in the subject line.

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