Improvement of the Kolhorn-Westfriesedijk embankment
What's going to happen?
The Hollands Noorderkwartier Water Board (HHNK) is working on a safe flood barrier in Kolhorn. Research shows that the current flood barrier is not high enough. Therefore, it must be modified.
First plan
Initially, a plan was drawn up to raise the road on the dike and part of the green embankment. The new elevations would be:
- Green quay: -0.40 m NAP
- Road (paved embankment): -0.50 m NAP
During a visit to the site, it became clear that this plan was not a good fit. The height of the dike would no longer align properly with residents’ front doors and front yards. Furthermore, there is no other viable solution for this location.
New idea
During that same visit, we noticed that the ground behind the houses, along the water, is often already higher. That’s why we looked into whether we could achieve the right elevation there.
We measured the height. The results show:
- In many places, the ground is already high enough (the red line on the map);
- Only in a few spots—near the gardens marked with a blue circle—does the ground still need to be raised slightly.
Advantages of this plan:
- Less work on the front of the houses.
- The road doesn't have to go uphill;
- In the gardens, there is more space to raise the ground properly.
What does this mean for you?
We’re solving the flood control issue by using the land behind the houses. Since that land is often already high enough, only a few spots will need minor adjustments. We’ll coordinate this directly with the adjacent property owners.
Where is the project taking place?
The rejected breast wall concerns the Kolhorn-Westfriesedijk wall, located in the municipality of Hollands Kroon. This wall is located south of the village of Kolhorn and runs along the Keern waterway.
Who do we work with?
HHNK is the client for this dike improvement project. We are working in collaboration with the consulting firm Schmidt. The municipalities of Hollands Kroon and Schagen are being kept informed about the work, and we are coordinating with both municipalities as needed.
When will the project take place and how long will it last?
The design for the dike reinforcement is currently being drawn up, after which the contract with the contractor will be drawn up and the permits will be applied for. The plan is to complete the work before the end of 2026.
Want to know more?
Do you have any questions or would you like more information about the improvement of the breast wall at Kolhorn-Westfriesedijk? Please feel free to contact us. The HHNK environmental manager (Britte Mussche) can be reached for this project via our contact form or by telephone on 072 582 8282.
For more information about the history of Kolhorn, see the Kolhorn page.