HOME • FRANÇAIS • ENGLISH About us Contact info Left News & Publications Multimedia Vacancies Projects Specifications RIS Citizens Policy vision Recreation Courtesy code Towpaths Recreation Land & Buildings Admission, Permit & Concession Water management Waterways vignette Houseboats Today, floods no longer automatically lead to new, higher dikes or the canalisation of natural waterways. The new approach of Waterwegen en Zeekanaal NV (W&Z) is one of integrated water management that minimizes the risk of damage and pays attention to the close relationship between waterways and nature. W & Z's computer models allow us to accurately simulate the behavior of our rivers. This enables us to map out the flood risks and to take the most efficient measure each time. Sigma plan The disastrous floods of 1953 and 1976 made it clear that Flanders had to better protect itself against storm surges from the North Sea. The Sigma Plan was drawn up to ensure safety in the Zeeschelde basin. This plan provided for an increase and reinforcement of the dikes and the construction of thirteen flood control areas. No fewer than 512 km of dike have now been raised to Sigma height. The entire dyke network will be completed by 2015. Twelve floodplains have been proving their worth for years now. The Kruibeke-Basel-Rupelmonde flood control area will also be operational by the end of 2012. Its favorable location and enormous capacity make the Zeeschelde basin five times safer in one fell swoop. Rising sea levels and a better view of sustainable water management prompted an update of the original Sigma Plan in 2005. It is not enough to just throw a dam against the water, the water must also be given space again. That is why W&Z started with the construction and design of additional flooding areas on the Scheldt and its tributaries that can temporarily store masses of water in the event of a storm surge. W&Z works closely together with the Agency for Nature and Forests. The Sigma Plan has several objectives. In addition to reducing the probability of flooding, it aims to restore the natural values of the river. More information can be found on www.sigmaplan.be NL CITIZENS WATER MANAGEMENT Latest news items 1 2 3 4 5 VIEW ALL Lifting works on Meersstraat start tomorrow 18/06/2014 Doorgang Fabrieksstraat Willebroek tijdelijk beperkt door oeverwerken 18/06/2014 Provincie West-Vlaanderen en Waterwegen en Zeekanaal NV (W&Z) bereiken overeenkomst rond beheer van Damse Vaart Lichte hinder door onderhoudswerken aan de Spoorbrug 16/06/2014 © 2011 Waterwegen en Zeekanaal NV Oostdijk 110 2830 Willebroek T +32 (0)3 860 62 11 F +32 (0)3 860 62 78 info@wenz.be Disclaimer