Holland has always had a struggle with water as 1/3 of the country is below sea level, & in 1953 the southern coastal region experienced a serious flood that claimed a vast amount of lives. This prompted the Dutch government to begin constructing a project known as the Delta Works.

This enormous project began in 1958 & consists of a series of bridges, dikes, water mills & pumping stations. A storm surge barrier in the New Waterway near the Europort was completed in 1997. The barrier has two massive hinged gates, which are lowered in severe weather conditions to close off the 360-metered wide waterway & protect the surrounding area from flooding.

To date there are ongoing efforts to analyze & predict possible flooding dangers.