Polderbeheer

Polderbeheer is the management of land reclaimed from water, kept dry by dikes and drainage. It aims to protect agriculture, settlements and industry in low-lying areas. In the Netherlands, responsibility for polderbeheer is organized through regional water authorities called waterschappen, which maintain dikes, sluices, pumping stations and control water levels and quality.

Key elements are dikes and drainage canals, pumping stations (gemalen) that remove water, and sluices that regulate inflows and outflows. Water boards monitor rainfall and river levels, set targets for water level management, and coordinate emergency measures.

Historical land reclamation began in medieval times and expanded during the Dutch Golden Age. In the 20th century, major works such as the Zuiderzee Works and Delta Works created new polders and improved flood protection. Notable polders include Beemster, Haarlemmermeer and Flevoland (the Flevopolder).

Today polderbeheer addresses climate change through stronger dikes, increased water storage, upgraded pumping capacity, and integrated flood risk planning with housing and infrastructure. The system remains a core element of the Netherlands’ approach to water safety, land use and resilience.