Legger Flood Defenses
We distinguish between primary, regional, and other flood defenses. The primary defenses protect us against the (external) waters of the North Sea, the Wadden Sea, the IJsselmeer, and the Markermeer. Regional defenses (reservoir dikes) protect our polders against the (internal) waters from ring canals and other canals. Other flood defences are all flood defences (or flood defence heights) that are not designated as primary or regional flood defences and for which the water board sets the standard.
We ensure that our flood defenses are in good condition so that we can live safely in low-lying Holland. That is why we impose requirements on the use of flood defenses and the surrounding area. These requirements are laid down in the Water Board Regulations.
The Water Defenses Register consists of maps with explanatory notes. These are determined by the board. This is a legal obligation. The Omgevingswet that the water board is obliged to "establish a register for waterworks under its management, in which the work is described in terms of location, shape, dimensions, and construction." The maps also show the safety zones and associated structures such as pumping stations and locks. We also indicate in the register who is responsible for maintaining the flood defenses.
The digital map (green button) shows the primary and regional flood defenses. The digital map has been officially approved insofar as it concerns the regional flood defenses. This has not yet been done for the primary flood defenses. These are included in the register books. The register books have been officially approved and can be found under the link 'Downloads registers'. We aim to update the digital map in the near future to include the primary flood defenses and have them officially approved.
The Legger hardly changes. It is only adjusted when the location, shape, or dimensions of a dike have changed, for example after dike reinforcement.
Other barriers
Flood defenses for which the national government or the province has not established safety standards are designated as other flood defenses. These other defenses have of course also been mapped, but have not yet been digitized in detail and are therefore not included in the Flood Defense Register.