Hartelkering
Encyclopedia
The Hartelkering is a storm surge barrier
in Spijkenisse
, in the Netherlands. The barrier is part of the Delta Works
and is designed to close the Hartelkanaal in case of a storm surge
.
The barrier consists of two vertical lift gates, 49.3 metres (161.7 ft) and 98 metres (321.5 ft) in length. The gates have a height of 3 metres (9.8 ft) above NAP
when closed. The waterlevel at this location can become higher, but in order to prevent flooding of the Europoort
-area the gates were designed to allow the water to overtop the gates in extreme situations. The amount of water would be too small to cause any problems in the protected area but it does limit the surgelevel in the unprotected areas.
In the raised position the bottom of the gates is at 14 metres (45.9 ft) above NAP, slightly higher than the bridge next to the barrier. The barrier is equipped with a construction to fend off floating debris, which could damage the gates.
The Hartelkering was constructed at the same time as the Maeslantkering
. The barrier is expected to close once per five to ten years. The decision-making algorithm that sequences storm surge-triggered events in the Maeslantkering is run entirely by computer.
and Maeslantkering
storm surge barriers were also closed, the entire Dutch coast was protected against flooding for the first time since 1976. The closing procedure of the hartelkering started at 23.10h. The reopening took place on 9 November at 19.25h.
Flood barrier
A flood barrier, surge barrier of storm surge barrier is a specific type of floodgate, designed to prevent a storm surge or spring tide from flooding the protected area behind the barrier...
in Spijkenisse
Spijkenisse
Spijkenisse is a town and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality had a population of 74,482 in 2006, and covers an area of 30.23 km²...
, in the Netherlands. The barrier is part of the Delta Works
Delta Works
The Delta Works is a series of construction projects in the southwest of the Netherlands to protect a large area of land around the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta from the sea. The works consist of dams, sluices, locks, dikes, levees, and storm surge barriers...
and is designed to close the Hartelkanaal in case of a storm surge
Storm surge
A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea...
.
The barrier consists of two vertical lift gates, 49.3 metres (161.7 ft) and 98 metres (321.5 ft) in length. The gates have a height of 3 metres (9.8 ft) above NAP
Normaal Amsterdams Peil
Normaal Amsterdams Peil or Amsterdam Ordnance Datum is a vertical datum in use in large parts of Western Europe. Originally created for use in the Netherlands, it was adopted by Prussia in 1879 under the name Normalnull, and in 1955 by other European countries.Mayor Johannes Hudde of Amsterdam in...
when closed. The waterlevel at this location can become higher, but in order to prevent flooding of the Europoort
Europoort
Europoort is an area of the Port of Rotterdam and the adjoining industrial area in the Netherlands. Being situated at the mouth of the rivers Rhine and Meuse with the hinterland consisting of the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and partly France, Europoort is by certain measurements the world's...
-area the gates were designed to allow the water to overtop the gates in extreme situations. The amount of water would be too small to cause any problems in the protected area but it does limit the surgelevel in the unprotected areas.
In the raised position the bottom of the gates is at 14 metres (45.9 ft) above NAP, slightly higher than the bridge next to the barrier. The barrier is equipped with a construction to fend off floating debris, which could damage the gates.
The Hartelkering was constructed at the same time as the Maeslantkering
Maeslantkering
The Maeslantkering is a storm surge barrier in the Nieuwe Waterweg waterway located between the towns of Hoek van Holland and Maassluis, Netherlands, , which automatically closes when needed...
. The barrier is expected to close once per five to ten years. The decision-making algorithm that sequences storm surge-triggered events in the Maeslantkering is run entirely by computer.
8 November 2007 storm
On 8 November 2007 a storm from the north-west hit the Dutch coast. A storm surge, high enough to start the barrier's closing procedure, occurred. The barrier was closed due to a storm surge for the first time since its construction. As the OosterscheldekeringOosterscheldekering
The Oosterscheldekering , between the islands Schouwen-Duiveland and Noord-Beveland, is the largest of the 13 ambitious Delta works series of dams, designed to protect the Netherlands from flooding...
and Maeslantkering
Maeslantkering
The Maeslantkering is a storm surge barrier in the Nieuwe Waterweg waterway located between the towns of Hoek van Holland and Maassluis, Netherlands, , which automatically closes when needed...
storm surge barriers were also closed, the entire Dutch coast was protected against flooding for the first time since 1976. The closing procedure of the hartelkering started at 23.10h. The reopening took place on 9 November at 19.25h.