Update for striking lock

Water Board Brabantse Delta is carrying out major maintenance on Roode Vaart lock in Moerdijk. The iconic lock from 1971 is struggling with ageing problems, especially at the lift gate. The water board is also taking advantage of the major maintenance to realize the first part of a freshwater intake facility in the lock. An interview with Louis Vriens of the Brabantse Delta Water Board about the work and the planned closure in the middle of the recreational season.

Lock Roode Vaart is close to industrial area Moerdijk. "Due to possible expansion of the industrial area, also towards the existing lock, the major maintenance of the lock has been put off for several years," says Vriens. "Because the lift gate is part of a primary flood barrier, which is important for the water safety of the hinterland, we could not postpone the major maintenance any longer and started."

Primary water barrier

The major maintenance includes repairing the brakes, railing and pavement. Most radical, however, is the removal of the lifting door and the two antique fan doors. Vriens: "The contract was awarded to Van der Straaten Aannemingsmaatschappij BV, which started the preparatory work on June 19 of this year. From August 19, the lock was blocked and the lift and fan doors were removed. It is indeed in the middle of the recreational season. Because the lock is part of the primary flood barrier, the lift gate may only be taken out during the "open season," because of its water retaining function during the storm season. It is precisely during this period that many people go out with their pleasure craft. So we spent a lot of time and energy in the preliminary process to create understanding among all stakeholders."

Antique movement work

The lift door was repaired, blasted and recoated where necessary. The fan doors were scanned, according to Vriens, and the best way to repair them was considered. "This includes estimating the cost. The doors open with water pressure, a Dutch invention from the early nineteenth century. For now, the fan doors are perfectly adequate for their tasks and fulfill an important function in locking."

Freshwater intake

Meanwhile, both the lift door and both fan doors have been reinstalled. During the restoration, the lift door was also fitted with so-called additional rinkets. "These are openings in the door that can be opened and closed electronically, for which Hoppenbrouwers Techniek is responsible," Vriens explains. "In periods of drought, we can let fresh water through from the Hollands Diep to the hinterland. It forms only the first part of the freshwater intake facility. Once the piping and pumps are installed, we will be able to supply 3.5 m³ freshwater per second spouting through the Roode Vaart. In the future, that will go to a maximum of 10 m³ per second."

Collaboration 

The extra water that will soon flow into the area through the lock will come through the harbor of Zevenbergen. This harbor is currently being re-excavated under the direction of the Moerdijk municipality. Within the framework of the freshwater supply of West Brabant and Zeeland, the realization of the freshwater inlet is financially made possible in part by the Province of North Brabant, the Province of Zeeland, the State and the Municipality of Moerdijk. Province of North Brabant is also contributing to the renovation. Niels Mureau, executive board member of Brabantse Delta water board, concludes, "Sufficient freshwater is important for agriculture, nature and recreation. In addition, extra water supply ensures better flushing of the water system. That improves water quality."