Assessing the functional performance of the Meuse river: The impact of bed developments and an altering discharge regime on future river functioning

The Meuse river facilitates important socio-economic functions. In the light of Integrated River Management (IRM), the question rises whether these functions can be facilitated in future decades (until 2050) as well. The riverbed is expected to degrade over the coming decades, just like in the past century. On top of that, the discharge regime...

Development of a methodology to assess functional performance of the Dutch Rhine: A case study on the impact of autonomous trends and sediment management strategies

The summer and autumn of 2018 showed the negative effects of both low-flow conditions and bed degradation over the last century on the river functions of the Dutch Rhine. These resulted in record-breaking water levels, extreme low navigation depth and subsequently nautical problems. As climate change will increase the inter-annual variability of...

Improving Flood Safety and Ferry Navigation in the Changing Environment of Holwerd

Relative sea level rise and climate change represent long-term threats for the ecosystems and flood defence system in the Wadden Sea. Moreover, the flood-dominant tidal basins in the area lead to sedimentation in the navigational channels used by the ferry services that connect the mainland to the Dutch Wadden islands. This report provides flood...

Climate change and inland shipping

Although much attention is given to the consequences of climate change with respect to melting icecaps, starving polar bears, sea level rise and inadequate storm defense systems, there may be severe consequences for inland shipping too. Not only because of more frequent occurrence and longer durations of closed storm surge barriers, which may...