Veerse Gatdam
Overview
The barrier is 2.8 km (1.7 mi) long and connects the island of Walcheren with Noord-Beveland. The barrier was partly built as a with asphalt coated dike on the Plaat van Onrust, a former sandbar. For the remaining parts, sinkable passing caissons were used. For the construction of these caissons, a dock was constructed between Veere en Vrouwenpolder. The caissons contain openings, so that the tide could keep going on, while building the barrier. With this it was prevented that the current would keep on getting stronger as the construction progressed. Only at the end of construction, were the sliders simultaneously lowered, by which the barrier was closed in one instant.
By building the Veerse Gatdam, the town of Veere was no longer connected with the open sea. The fishing fleet of Veere had to be relocated before the completion of the barrier to the nearby village of Colijnsplaat. The Veerse Meer is currently a popular aquatics location, particularly for windsurfing. On the north side of the dam, a large recreational beach has been created.
The closing of the Veerse Gat was adapted into a film, Deltafase 1, by Bert Haanstra.
References
- ^ "Veerse Gatdam – Holland – Land of water".
- ^ "Veerse Gatdam".
- ^ "Veerse Gatdam – Watersnoodmuseum".
- ^ Gorsel, W. van (2022). "Veere". Encyclopedie van Zeeland (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- ^ "Haanstra: Delta Phase 1". VPRO gids (in Dutch). VPRO. Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
External links
- Veerse Dam, Encyclopedie van Zeeland (in Dutch)