Critical inspection of Lekdijk underway to protect Randstad from flooding
The Lekdijk, a vital flood defence for the Randstad, is undergoing its biannual inspection after a wet season. Residents and landowners must ensure proper maintenance, as a breach could flood areas as far as Schiphol, impacting millions.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Inspection Date | March 10, 2026 |
| Location | Lekdijk between Amerongen and Schoonhoven |
| Responsible Authority | Hoogheemraadschap De Stichtse Rijnlanden (HDSR) |
| Maintenance Check | Starting April 6, 2026 |
| Grazing Ban Period | November 1 to April 1 |
| Closed Dyke Period | October 1 to April 1 |
| At-Risk Area | Randstad, including Schiphol |
| Inspection Focus | Subsidence, cracks, muskrat/beaver damage, grass cover maintenance |
Hoogheemraadschap De Stichtse Rijnlanden (HDSR) is a Dutch water authority responsible for managing water barriers, including dykes, to prevent flooding in the central Netherlands. Their role includes regular inspections, enforcement of maintenance rules, and collaboration with landowners to ensure water safety.
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Read the full translated article below
Inspection of the Lekdijk after a wet season, in the interest of water safety
On March 10, dyke inspectors from Hoogheemraadschap De Stichtse Rijnlanden (HDSR) will assess the condition of the Lekdijk. This flood defence protects a large part of the Randstad from flooding. In the interest of water safety, the dyke between Amerongen and Schoonhoven is thoroughly inspected twice a year, after the dry and after the wet season. Starting April 6, the water authority will also check whether landowners have properly maintained their plots of land.
Thorough inspection
Step by step, with a probe and an iPad in hand, the dyke inspectors from the water authority look for subsidence, damage, and cracks. By identifying and repairing weak spots in time, the dyke remains safe. Muskrat controllers search daily for burrowing damage caused by muskrats and beavers. These inspections are necessary because we live in one of the lowest-lying countries in the world. That large parts of our country can be inhabited and built upon is not a given. If the Lekdijk were to breach, the Randstad as far as Schiphol would be flooded. With our inspections, we ensure the dyke remains strong.
Important role for residents and landowners
Residents and landowners also play a role in keeping the dyke strong and safe. Owners of land on the dyke are responsible for its maintenance. Starting April 6, employees of the water authority will check during the dyke inspection whether the maintenance has been carried out correctly. They will, for example, check whether damage to the grass cover has been repaired, bare spots have been reseeded, floating debris has been removed, and grass has been mowed in a timely manner.
Year-round maintenance: checking, repairing, and preventing damage
In addition to the recurring inspections, it is important to prevent damage to the grass cover as much as possible. That is why the grazing ban /">closed dyke period applies: from October 1 to April 1, no work may be carried out on the dyke. During the grazing ban from November 1 to April 1, livestock may not graze on the dyke. Supervisors monitor compliance with the rules. In this way, we keep the dyke strong and safe together.
Water safety is everyone’s concern
Residents, landowners, and the water authority all work together to ensure safe dykes. Sometimes a weak spot or damage may still go unnoticed. That is why the water authority calls on everyone to report any damage that could endanger the dyke, such as a crack or subsidence. The same applies to spotting a muskrat or beaver.