Lauwersoog to get largest artificial reef along Dutch sea dyke
The artificial reefs and tidal pools along the Lauwersmeer dike have proven to be a great success. Since their initial installation in 2021, there has been an explosion of underwater life. Fish, crabs, shrimp, shellfish, and algae have now settled in and around the structures. This fall, the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority and Rijkswaterstaat will expand the reef with 290 new reef elements and 132 tidal pools. This will give the reef a permanent place at the foot of the Lauwersmeer dike, making it the largest artificial reef along a Dutch sea dyke.
Research confirms ecological value of reefs
Between 2021 and 2024, research was conducted into how artificial structures can contribute to the restoration of the natural transition while simultaneously dyke the dyke . Lies van Nieuwerburgh, ecologist at Rijkswaterstaat: "We see that the artificial reefs and pools are ecologically successful and form a new habitat for species. They provide shelter, resting, and spawning places for fish and other organisms. Oysters, mussels, anemones, and algae attach themselves to the structures, which increases biodiversity and creates a more robust food web and ecosystem. In this way, the reefs are a valuable addition to the underwater environment."
Space for Wadden Sea nature
The construction of dykes largely eliminated the natural transition between mudflats and land. This has had consequences for the water quality and biodiversity of the Wadden Sea. Silvia Mosterd, environmental manager at the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority: "In fact, we are improving the mudflat nature at the boundary between dyke the sea. It's great that we can achieve such an increase in life at the foot of the Lauwersmeer dike. In addition to the reefs, this fall we will also complete the construction of a tidal area in the Marnewaard and dyke the salt marshes along the dyke . In this way, we are working on dike reinforcement with the greatest possible ecological benefit."
Cooperation and future
Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences and the University of Groningen investigated the ecological development of the reefs. The results of this research were used to design a larger reef along the new Lauwersmeer dike, in which nature and safety go hand in hand. The project is part of the Lauwersmeer Dike Reinforcement Project and is made possible in part by the Programmatic Approach to Large Water Bodies (PAGW) and the Wadden Fund. The reefs and pools are from ReefSystems, Econcrete, and Moreef. The Waddenkwartier consortium of GMB and Heijmans is responsible for the construction of the reefs and tidal pools.
More information
Nature projects | Lauwersmeer-Vierhuizergat dike reinforcement
(Read here about the difference between reefs and tidal pools)