Water, Life, and Society
The Netherlands

Overview

Faculty Director(s):
Professor Jon S. Miller

Program Overview

The Netherlands covers over 41000 km2 and is home to 16.5 million people. The country is located on the North Sea and is location where four great rivers, The Rhine, Meuses, Wall and Scheldt empty into the ocean. The majority of the country is located below sea level and the history of the Netherlands has been subjugated by the fight with water and reclaiming land from the sea, which was first documented in 1533. The Netherlands is protected from costal and river flooding by engineered flood prevention technologies. This includes dikes, polders and canals, reducing the risk of flooding from smaller water bodies and watercourses. An extensive system of ditches and waterways serves to manage the groundwater levels in these polders. Rain water that falls in the polders must be pumped out. As a result, every polder is connected to a pumping station that transfers the water to a drainage outlet or retention area. From there, the water is pumped out to another waterway and finally flows to the sea. The flood defenses are primarily managed by the Water Boards.
This program is designed to provide students opportunities to explore and learn about the various aspects of Dutch water science, technology and engineering. Moreover, they will gain appreciation for the work that Water Boards engage in and how policy development takes place at a local and national level. Furthermore, students will be able to bring back to the U.S.A. what they have learned and apply their new knowledge to solve water issues and problems in the U.S. and beyond.

To download the complete PDF, please click Hague Water Life and Society