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Festive opening of Wal-Zwijn
After six years of intensive work, the Wal-Zwijn flood control area in Hamme was officially inaugurated on October 4, 2025. The project is part of the Sigmaplan by De Vlaamse Waterweg, which aims to better protect Flanders against flooding while also creating space for new natural environments.
Herbosch-Kiere’s contribution
The project ran from 2019 to 2025 and consisted of three phases. Herbosch-Kiere was responsible for phases 1 and 3:
- Phase 1: Construction of a 6-meter-high, 3-kilometer-long ring dyke along the western side of the area. The dyke protects village centers, farmlands, and grasslands from high water. Approximately 500,000 m³ of earth was moved for this phase, which was completed in November 2021.
- Phase 3: Construction of a 1.8 km overflow dyke, re-profiling of existing dykes, and installation of a GOSA layer (50,000 m²) for additional stability. A 5 km towpath for cyclists and pedestrians was also created. This phase was completed in September 2025.
Through these works, Herbosch-Kiere contributes to robust flood protection and the development of tidal nature with mudflats, salt marshes, and willow floodplain forests.
Why this is special
The areas of Grote Wal, Kleine Wal, and Zwijn now form a single controlled floodplain with reduced tides. Groot Schoor has been reconnected to the Scheldt River and once again follows the natural ebb and flow of the tide. This creates a dynamic landscape of mudflats and salt marshes that helps mitigate the effects of climate change.
Wal-Zwijn functions as a natural water buffer and simultaneously offers new opportunities for plants and animals. Birds such as the avocet, oystercatcher, and little ringed plover are returning, and the development of reed beds and willow floodplain forests will further enhance biodiversity in the coming years.
