Sand nourishment – Sand bar Workumerbuitenwaard

Overview

The sand bar near Workumerbuitenwaard was constructed about two decades ago with the goal to provide a gradual supply of sand to the shore.

Location: IJsselmeer area, The Netherlands
Date: 1992- 1998
Involved parties: Rijkswaterstaat, It Fryske Gea
Technology Readiness Level:  5 – technology validated in relevant environment
Environment: Lakes
Key words: Sand nourishment, sand bar, IJsselmeer, sedimentation, coastal erosion, coastal wetlands.

Sand bar extent

About

In September 1992, a sand bar was constructed in 1992 along the coast of Workumerbuitenwaard at 1m below mean sea level. The sand bar- with a length of 2 km and a width of 120 m- was located 450 m from the coast and not protected by any artificial structure.

Goal of the project was the eastwards movement of the bar resulting in a gradual supply of sand to the coast and expansion of the wetlands along the shore. As this project has been executed some decades ago, the case Workumerbuitenwaard serves as a historical case from which lessons can be learned.

Location Workumerbuitenwaard