The tidal sluice connects the Ems River with the area between the two dikes. Influenced by ebb and flow, brackish water flows through this dike passage to the intermediate area and back. The tidal action allows sediment from the Ems to settle and creates brackish water nature. There is also space for saline cultivation and aquaculture.
How does the tidal sluice work?
Inside the concrete box of the tidal sluice are two gates that move up and down. The gates open at low water, allowing the water in the area to gently rise with the water level in the Ems.
On both sides of the tidal sluice, there are several measuring points that provide water level information to the technical installation. Based on this information and software, the gates in the tidal sluice are controlled and the water level in the area is regulated. In case of extremely high water or a severe storm, the gates close completely to prevent seawater from flowing in.
The calculations we made beforehand are now being tested in practice.
Test of the second sluice
We are also testing the second sluice, located under the bike path to the beach of Bierum. This opening allows saline water to flow to the test area for saline crops and aquaculture. The ‘through sluice’ has two pipes each with one gate. Fresh saline water flows through one pipe via a ditch to the test area. The other pipe drains the used water. Pipes carry the water from the ring ditch to the cultivation basins for seaweed and cockles. This ensures that all entrepreneurs receive fresh seawater daily, even if their basins are further from the sluice.