Tetra Tech is supporting the Sterke Lekdijk programme by delivering an integrated, sustainable dike reinforcement that enhances flood safety, nature, and recreation along the River Lek in the Netherlands.
Challenge
The Lekdijk is a critical flood defence protecting large parts of central and western Netherlands. Due to climate change and stricter national safety standards, the dike no longer provided the required level of protection. The Sterke Lekdijk programme was launched to reinforce 55 kilometres of dike between Amerongen and Schoonhoven to safeguard communities, infrastructure, and economic activity against future flood risks.
Salmsteke represents the first construction phase of the programme and, in addition to strengthening flood defences, the project needed to preserve and enhance landscape quality, protect sensitive ecological systems, and maintain public access to the river area. Delivering these objectives simultaneously required innovative solutions, strong collaboration, and careful spatial integration within a highly visible river landscape.
Solution
The regional water authority selected a European Innovation Partnership as the delivery model for the Sterke Lekdijk programme, enabling public authorities, contractors, and specialist advisors to jointly develop solutions beyond standard market practice. Within this partnership, Tetra Tech provided multidisciplinary expertise across water safety, civil engineering, environmental assessment, permitting, and spatial integration.
Tetra Tech worked closely with project partners to develop an integrated structural design that ensures the reinforced dike meets the highest safety and performance standards while fitting naturally into its surroundings. We embedded sustainability early in the design process, using low-emission and emission-free construction equipment and innovative measures to improve dike stability and erosion resistance with minimal environmental impact.
Flood protection was combined with the redevelopment of the adjacent floodplain, creating new opportunities for nature development and recreation. The project reconnects the floodplain to the river system, improves ecological diversity above and below water, and introduces new walking routes, a swimming lake with beach, and visitor facilities—strengthening the relationship between communities and the river landscape.
Benefits
- Improved flood resilience for communities along the River Lek
- Reduced carbon footprint through low-emission construction methods
- Integrated flood protection, nature development, and public recreation
- Enhanced ecological diversity within the floodplain system
- Blueprint for future dike reinforcement projects in the Netherlands
Salmsteke is the first completed section of the Sterke Lekdijk programme, setting a national benchmark for integrated flood protection.
