Amsterdam Maeslantkering Arm 2

by Norma Brandsberg

Title

Amsterdam Maeslantkering Arm 2

Artist

Norma Brandsberg

Medium

Photograph - Photograph

Description

Our grandson goes to the university in Amsterdam. To my engineer husband, one trip we absolutely had to make was a visit the Maeslantkering, a flood control project in the Netherlands. When someone thinks of Dutch flood control, immediately dikes come to mind, but there is a new technology in town. This Dutch flood control system south of Amsterdam on the Rotterdam waterway, consists of two hinged swinging arms that swing closed to limit high flood waters from reaching the low areas in the Netherlands.

When you visit the Maeslantkering, the first thing that strikes you is it's size. It’s absolutely huge. Comprised of a set of huge curved doors that block off the ocean when sea level rises too high. One arm that swivels the doors into place is as long as the Eiffel Tower lying on its side and it weighs twice as much!

The doors are first closed, then the round tubes are pumped with water to make them heavy so they sink to the bottom of the canal water bed. This flood control system was designed to protect from storm surge of up to 16 ft. The doors only close if the sea level is expected to rise at least 10 feet or it is being tested. It has only been closed once for flood control since the flood control system was built in 1997.

I was entralled by the lines of this massive project and will be creating a series of 5 photographs emphasizing the wonderful architecture. I envision a grouping of the various photographs for those who appreciate modern architectural design and symmetry.

I was entralled by the lines of this massive project and will be creating a series of 5 photographs emphasizing the wonderful architecture. I envision a grouping of the various photographs for those who appreciate modern architectural design and symmetry.

View #4.

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August 12th, 2021

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