Room for the River Nijmegen (2010)

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Climate Adaptation - Solution Rainwater Nuissance

Created at: 10 May 2023

Description

This is the most complex project within the Room for the River programme. In addition to water management measures such as the creation of a bypass channel with inlets, dike lengthening and nature development, this unique project involved the construction of three new bridges. Moreover, in the center of the river, an inhabited island is created.

The Waal river makes a sharp bend near Nijmegen and narrows at this point, forming a bottleneck. By moving the dike at Lent 350 metres inland, room is created for a bypass channel which drains the water during extremely high water levels. This feature will offer better flood protection near Nijmegen.

The design is based on the river water dynamics and the erosion and sedimentation process

The river park forms the highlight of Nijmegen’s new flood protection for the Waal river. The design is based on the river water dynamics, the erosion and sedimentation process and the tides. The Urban River Park is freely accessible and respectfully integrates archeological and historical elements into the design. The innovative park design enables the space to be usilised in different ways, including the hosting of events and exhibitions on the new island.


Samenvatting (Dutch description)

At Nijmegen, the Waal River bends sharply and narrows. This creates a bottleneck, which often caused flooding of the historic city centre of Nijmegen, located on the south bank of the Wall. After the floods of 1993 and 1995 and faced with increased risk of flooding due to climate change, the city of Nijmegen decided to give more room to the Waal River, at the same time protecting nearby natural habitats and providing recreational space. In 2012, the city began adapting the river and its shores moving the main existing dike (in front of Lent, a village part of Nijmegen municipality located on the norther shore of the Waal River) 350 m inland, and digging an extensive new river channel parallel to the original. By its completion in 2016, the project succeeded in achieving a 35 cm river water height reduction (a greater target of the 27 cm initial one). During high river flows, one-third of the total amount of water is discharged through the new ancillary channel. The implemented measures also created an island that is now used as a unique urban river park in the heart of Nijmegen with room for living, recreational activities, culture, water and nature.

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