Maeslantkering Storm Surge Barrier and the Delta Project

Although this stop was a little mind-numbing for me--after all, we had been on and off the bus all day--I think the storm surge barrier was Sam's trip highlight. Hilbren had spent the day teaching us about the centuries-long struggle the Dutch have had with the seas. After the storm of 1953, they said "never again."
 

But the Netherlands exist in a low-lying Delta surrounded by water and the Port of Rotterdam must be accessible. So, how to solve the problem of and control storm surges? Six designs were submitted by companies within the Netherlands for the Delta Project--the barrier needed to be easy to maintain and not stop the flow of ships in and out of the port, even when there was fear of a surge. From those six companies, one was selected; and the barrier was installed in 1997.
 
Our group entered a grey metal industrial-looking building--the Keringhuis Museum labeled "Publiekscentrum Water--it looked more like a warehouse than a museum. But it held some interesting surprises. The huge photos, colorful layouts, and interactive displays were very impressive--in fact, critical for most of us to understand the concept. The very informed young man who was our guide explained in detail the history and workings of the barrier before we walked outside in the grey and windy weather.

If I understood correctly, this is how it works. As water rises--signaling a surge--the storm gates also rise, then shut, sinking to the riverbed and forming walls of steel. When storm season is over, the gates, which are open, sit on the docks to avoid corrosion--like they were today.

Every year on September 21st, they test the storm barrier by closing it (top photo), which is viewed by thousands who come out to watch. It stays closed for 12 hours so it can be examined and maintained. Since a major storm is expected only once every 10,000 years, I guess we'll never know if it will actually work! But what a lesson about how the Dutch survive living below sea-level.