FLOODCOM Partner Meeting 11 & 12 September 2012, Antwerp, Belgium Activity Report

Tuesday 11 th September Steering Group Meeting On the 11 th September the Second Steering Group meeting was held in at the offices of Waterwegen en Zeekanaal NV, in Antwerp. The meeting was chaired by Keith Lawson. The Floodcom partners The partners gave presentations about the planned works at their sites. The planning of the project was made in detail and the format of the technical exchanges were arranged. Hans de Preter presents on the scheme of the Belgian partners.

Wednesday 12 th September Site Visit The Second day of the interregional visit was dedicated to visiting the Hedwige-Prosper Polder site and the pumping station in Antwerp. The partners learn about the history of the Hedwige-Prosper Polder Partners were able to walk the site where the pumping station is being built and to learn how the system of ring dikes will work and how they will create new marsh land that will attract new wildlife to the area as well as protecting the local community from flooding. At the Hedwige-Prosper Polder site the partners learnt about how the site will be “depoldered", given back to the river. A fantastic pattern of mud flats, marshes and shoals will gradually develop (due to tidal nature). The depoldering is also good for safety. The depoldered area will allow the stream to escape during a storm tide. The tidal wave thus becomes less powerful and will cause less damage upstream. Partners also used the opportunity to try a geocaching activity. This gave the partners a good idea of what is involved in such an activity and helped them to plan for their own sites. The partners attempt a geocaching activity Partners attempt a geocaching activity