Several towns in the Netherlands bear names ending in "dam," indicating their origin at the site of a dam in a tidal river. Prominent examples include Amsterdam (located at a dam in the Amstel) and Rotterdam (situated at a dam in the Rotte). However, some locations, like Maasdam, have less clear origins. Maasdam, a village situated at the site of a dam on the Maas dating back to before 1300, was the site of the construction of the Grote Hollandse Waard, which was subsequently lost during the devastating St. Elizabeth's Flood of 1421. However, presently the Maas river is far away from the village of Maasdam.
One technique widely employed in historical closures was known as  (English: sinking up). This method involved sinking fascine mattresses, filling them with sand, and stabilising them with ballast stone. Successive sections were then sunk on top until the dam reached a height where no further mattresses could be placed. This process effectively reduced the flow, allowing the completion of the dam with sand and clay. For instance, the construction of the Sloedam in 1879, as part of the railway to Middelburg, utilised this technique.
Early observations revealed that during closures, the flow velocity within the closure gap increased, leading to soil erosion. Consequently, measures such as bottom protection around the closing gap were implemented, guided primarily by experiential knowledge rather than precise calculations. Until 1953, closing dike breaches in tidal areas posed challenges due to high current velocities. In such instances, new dikes were constructed further inland, albeit a lengthier process, to mitigate closure difficulties. An extreme example occurred after the devastating North Sea flood of 1953, necessitating the closure of breaches at Schelphoek, marking the last major closure in the Netherlands.