Wetterskip Fryslân manages the ring of dikes and dunes that protects the village and the polder. Rijkswaterstaat keeps an eye on the so called basiskustlijn (‘basic coastline’).
Reinforcement of dikes and dunes
The Wadden island Schiermonnikoog is protected against flooding by a primary flood defence system, which consists of 9 kilometres of dunes on the western, northern, and eastern side, and a 4-kilometre-long dike on the south side: the Wadden Sea dike.
On a regular basis Wetterskip Fryslân assesses the dike and the dunes to check if they are still flood resistant. Climate change causes the sea level to rise, subsidence occurs, and the change of extreme weather conditions becomes bigger.
The last assessment showed that the dike on Schiermonnikoog needs strengthening and that in some parts of the dunes the volumes of sand need to be supplemented. During the next years, the reinforcement of dike and dunes will be prepared. Implementation will presumably be in 2027 and 2028.
To ensure a safe and future-proof flood defence system Wetterskip Fryslân cooperates with Rijkswaterstaat, the province Fryslân and the municipality Schiermonnikoog. Together, they work on area-specific plans, in dialogue with the inhabitants of Schiermonnikoog, with the ambition to connect water safety with dynamic coastal management and restoration of the natural dunes. How can we manage the coastline and the dunes that are part of the flood defence system in such a way that natural processes do a part of the job? Creating scope for natural processes fits in with the goals of Natura 2000 and lets the island develop itself in keeping with sea level rise, whereas safety for the inhabitants is guaranteed.
During the exploration phase in 2023 the cooperation agreement 1EILAUN was signed. 1EILAUN means reinforcing the dike and dunes on Schiermonnikoog and connecting interests, ideas, and knowhow. All parties involved work together as one team to accomplish a safe and climate adaptive island.
In 2024 islanders, organisations and public authorities have formulated a preferred alternative for the reinforcement of dike and dunes, considering the possibilities for incorporating other projects and initiatives on the island.
1EILAUN strives for an outward strengthening of the dike. Sustainability plays a significant role in this choice. In the future the dike has to be extendable, to be able to respond to climate change. Dynamic management is the focus in the preferred alternative with respect to the dunes. This offers the opportunity to combine natural restoration with water safety.
Here you can find more information about 1EILAUN (in Dutch).