Spatial development and water management

New rivers can offer a long-term solution to rising water levels and provide new spatial opportunities. A new river through the Betuwe (Lingewaarden) and the repair of the old course through the Rijnstrangen area present a possible solution.
 
’The appealing River landscape ‘ is a plan by Staatsbosbeheer (Dutch Forestry Organisation) for a long-term strategy, which includes finding space for rivers outside of the area between the present river dikes to cope with in increasing discharges. While there is still space at present, new rivers are being proposed, for instance through the Rijnstrangen area and through the Betuwe (Lingewaarden). The Lingewaarden connects the Pannerdensch canal with the Waal at Druten.
 
We have carried out a great deal of research for this plan. For example we checked how the discharge distribution between the two rivers influences the discharge distribution at the upstream bifurcation and how this can be controlled. The rough dimensions and river layout of Lingewaarden have also been investigated, in relation to the reduction of floodlevels in the Waal, Upper Rhine, Pannerdensch Canal and the IJssel. The one-dimensional SOBEK 1D model has been used throughout the study. In practical terms, the discharge can be well regulated by the new rivers by adapting the inlets, which for this purpose can be constructed as rockfill spillways.

Consequently the model has been expanded to a ‘scenario–model’, containing a total of measures that fits in the Concept of the Appealing River Landscape. This alternative concept constitutes a valuable alternative for the Space for the River Key Planning Decision, that the government is going to decide upon. Part of the activities was making a cost estimate for this alternative.