Oosterscheldekering Oosterscheldekering The Oosterscheldekering (English: Eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier), between the islands Schouwen-Duiveland and Noord-Beveland, is the largest of the 13 ambitious Delta Works series of dams and storm surge barriers, designed to protect the Netherlands from flooding from the North Sea. The construction of the Delta Works was in response to the widespread damage and loss of life due to the North Sea Flood of 1953. The longest dam in the Delta Works, the nine-kilometer-long Oosterscheldekering ("kering" meaning barrier) was initially designed, and partly built, as a closed dam, but after public protests, huge sluice-gate-type doors were installed in
Geography of the European Netherlands (Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel) , "below" sea level. "highest point on European mainland:" Vaalserberg above sea level. "highest point (including the Caribbean islands):" Mount Scenery on Saba above sea level. Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, peat, limestone, salt, sand and gravel, arable land Land use: (2011) "arable land:" 25.08% "permanent crops:" 0.88% "other:" 74.04% Irrigated land (2007): Total renewable water resources (2011): Natural hazards: flooding by sea and rivers is a constant danger. The extensive system of dikes, dams, and sand dunes protect nearly one-half of the total area from being flooded during the heavy autumn storms from the north-west.