Posted on September 7, 2026
Wednesday 2 September marked the festive launch of construction work on the IJsselmeerdijk reinforcement project in the Netherlands. Following months of preparation, studies and finalising plans, the IJsselmeerdijk Consortium (Van Oord and Boskalis) is now starting to make the project a reality, beginning with the construction of a foreshore.
The IJsselmeerdijk is largely being reinforced with a foreshore
A 12-km stretch along the largest (northern) section of the dyke is being sustainably reinforced with an innovative and environmentally friendly foreshore. It consists of a dam with a shallow water and reedbed area behind it, creating favourable conditions for nature development. The foreshore ensures the dyke is flood-proof and enhances the local natural environment. This makes the project particularly unique, especially given its scale and the depth of the water at the foreshore site. The remaining 5 km of the dyke will be reinforced with traditional dyke reinforcement measures, including raising the dyke and replacing the outer dyke revetment.
The works will start in Lake IJsselmeer with the construction of the foreshore, between the Maxima power station and the Ketelbrug bridge. In early 2027, work will begin on the traditional dyke reinforcement measures on the existing dyke between Flevokust Haven and the Maxima power station.
Background information on the IJsselmeerdijk reinforcement project
The dyke between Lelystad and the Ketelbrug does not meet the new safety requirements. While the 17-km-long dyke is currently considered safe, the Zuiderzeeland Water Board wants to be assured of a safe dyke in the future as well. That is why preparations for this dyke reinforcement project began in 2019. The IJsselmeerdijk Consortium has now started work on the project. In addition to the focus on flood defence, the dyke reinforcement work is being carried out as sustainably as possible, with the lowest possible environmental impact and a strong focus on promoting biodiversity.
This project is part of the joint task of the water boards and the national government to make the Netherlands flood-proof by 2050: the Flood Protection Programme (HWBP). In addition, this project has been made possible in part by the support of the Dutch Government’s Large Water Bodies Programme (Programmatische Aanpak Grote Wateren), the Province of Flevoland, Rijkswaterstaat, the municipalities of Lelystad and Dronten, NL2120, Haskoning, HKV lijn in water and Deltares.
