Two steps to support the Sigma Plan and protect Flanders from flooding

The purpose of the Sigma plan is to better protect Flanders from flooding of the river Scheldt and its tributaries, and at the same time give the valuable nature of the river a boost. The Sigma plan is about security, nature, recreation and economy. Two steps were taken to support the Sigma Plan and protect Flanders from flooding.

Pumping Station in Voorde

The civil works of the pumping station in Voorde (Wetteren) have been completed. The next step will be the installation of 6 (yellow) Archimedes’ screws. In final condition, this new pumping station will be fully integrated in the ring dike of the controlled flooding area Bastenakkers and only the screws will be visible.

To save money and reduce visual impact, the pumping stations both inside and outside the future controlled flooding area were combined into one single station. The result will be a pumping station with an unique layout of diametrically opposed Archimedes’ screws. A 40 m long tunnel brings the water from the screws to the river Scheldt and will be completely invisible, as will be all the technical rooms. The triangular concrete walls creating an entrance to the underground technical rooms will be embellished by a local graffiti artist.

The new pumping station Voorde is the first step in the realisation of controlled flooding area 'Bastenakkers', part of the Sigmaplan.

Together with IMDC, we did the complete design, from feasibility to detailed design for – and in collaboration with – De Vlaamse Waterweg.

Grote Vijver in Mechelen

The civil works of the in- and outlet sluices of the controlled flooding area Grote Vijver in Mechelen are nearing completion. We developed a new cost saving construction method for large sluices in existing dikes for – and in collaboration with – De Vlaamse Waterweg. These immense concrete sluices serve to dewater a controlled flooding area after a flood.

The new construction method has been implemented for the first time in this project and proved to be a success. The cost saving of approximately 30% was mainly achieved by drastically reducing the size of the cofferdam.  

The pictures were taken on May 13, 2019 and are the property of De Vlaamse Waterweg.