Major nature and flood safety upgrades coming to the Meuse between Lith and Bokhoven
Residents along the Meuse between Lith and Bokhoven will soon benefit from enhanced flood safety and nature restoration. A €10 million investment will create reed marshes, floodplain forests, and improved water quality, while upgrading a 23.5-kilometer dyke to meet stricter safety standards.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Name | Tidal Meuse |
| Location | Between Lith and Bokhoven (Noord-Brabant) |
| Budget Source | Programmatic Approach to Large Waters (PAGW) |
| Total Budget Allocated | Not specified (part of PAGW funding) |
| Project Length | Dyke improvement expected to start excavation in 2030 |
| Dyke Length | 23.5 kilometers |
| Key Nature Developments | Reed marshes, floodplain forests, river valley grasslands |
| Stakeholders | Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Province of Noord-Brabant, Aa en Maas Water Board, Municipalities of ’s-Hertogenbosch and Oss |
| Timeline | Preferred alternative for dyke improvement chosen by end of 2026 |
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management oversees large-scale water management and infrastructure projects in the Netherlands, ensuring flood safety and ecological health. The Province of Noord-Brabant plays a key role in aligning regional ambitions with national policies, particularly in nature development and water quality initiatives.
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Boost for nature development along the Meuse between Lith and Bokhoven
In December 2025, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature allocated a budget for the ‘Tidal Meuse’ project, which focuses on strengthening nature and ecological water quality along the Meuse. The project specifically aims to improve ecological connections in the Brabant river floodplains and the adjacent streams between Lith and Bokhoven.
Strengthening nature aligns well with the dyke improvement between Lith and Bokhoven, where nature development is already included as an objective. As a result, it will be incorporated into the dyke improvement exploration.
Nature development through the Programmatic Approach to Large Waters
The budget comes from the Programmatic Approach to Large Waters (PAGW). This program aims to enhance the ecological water quality and natural dynamics of rivers and large water bodies in the Netherlands. For the floodplains between Lith and Bokhoven, the focus lies on creating reed marshes, floodplain forests, and river valley grasslands.
Dyke improvement and regional ambitions align
The 23.5-kilometre dyke between Lith and Bokhoven must be improved to meet stricter water safety standards. At the start of the project, it became clear that the ambitions of the municipalities of ’s-Hertogenbosch and Oss and the province of North Brabant aligned with those of the dyke improvement. These ambitions have been translated into project goals.
Tim Smit, environment manager from Aa en Maas Water Board for the Lith-Bokhoven dyke improvement, says: “The ongoing dyke improvement offers the opportunity to combine efforts. In this way, we not only create a water-safe dyke that meets the set safety standards, but we also work on new opportunities for nature and water quality. We are doing this in collaboration with our partners and stakeholders in the area.”
Saskia Boelema, Deputy of the Province of North Brabant and Chair of the Maas Delta Program steering group: “It is wonderful that our proposal for the ‘Tidal Meuse’ has been successful. We are delighted that the government is now making funds available to give a strong boost to nature and water quality along the Meuse. This project shows how powerful it is when regional ambitions come together. That is where our focus as a province truly lies. It leads to a safer, future-proof, and at the same time more attractive Meuse area—for nature, local residents, and everyone who enjoys this unique part of Brabant. On to the next step.”
Timeline for the dyke improvement
By the end of 2026, the preferred alternative for the dyke improvement will be chosen: the high-level plan for improving the dyke. After that, the design will be further developed in detail. Excavation is expected to begin in 2030.
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