Maintain
Based on inspections and (multi-year) maintenance plans, we determine what maintenance work is necessary.
Repairing observed damage is done by our own maintenance department or by a contractor. Leaseholders and owners must maintain the dike themselves according to their contract. Together with you, we want to carry Health for the dike as well as possible.
Possible maintenance work
Mow the dike and control weeds
Twice a year, the entire grass cover of the dike must be mowed and the clippings removed. This creates variation in plant species, which is important for good rooting of the protective top layer of the dike. This net of roots holds the soil firmly together, prevents shearing of the embankment and thus protects the dike. Plant species such as hogweed, coltsfoot, nettles and thistles must be mowed down. Otherwise they crowd out other species, reducing the fineness of the root net and reducing the ability to hold the revetment together.
For more information, see the Mowing page.
Prevent formation of bald spots
Bare patches can be caused, for example, by livestock damage (hoof rutting, subsidence, eating and digging), the storage of agricultural waste and construction work. During high water levels or extreme rainfall, these spots are likely to wash out and locally weaken the dike. Fill the damage with clay soil, level the ground, re-seed grass and repair your fencing.
Plant or restore a reed bed or install shoring
To protect the bank of a dam from wave action, a reed bed is the most natural form. Or, if the water depth is too shallow (namely below 1.5 m), install shoring such as untreated softwood posts with geotextile or braided willow cribs. This will prevent the embankment from washing away.
Cut away woodlogging and prune trees
Trees can locally draw a lot of moisture from the dike. This can cause indentations that affect the water retaining height. Also, when a tree blows over, it can pull a large amount of soil out of the dike. Cutting away woody debris (germinated tree seeds) prevents small plants from growing into trees that are difficult to remove.