News

Since 2017, new flood probability standards have been in effect for the approximately 4000 kilometres of primary flood defences in the Netherlands. These standards are risk-based and they ensure that the flood risk is acceptably low throughout the Netherlands. In order to use the standards effectively, it is important to take these risks into account in all decisions relating to the reinforcement, management and maintenance of flood defences.

The timely publication of accurate discharge forecasts for rapidly responding catchments is critical in terms of optimal water management and flood warnings. Discharge forecasts are usually produced using hydrological models, which are enormously dependent on the underlying precipitation forecasts. A new study by Deltares, Wageningen University and Research Centre, and Delft University of Technology was published recently in Water Resources Research. It examines the added value and possible improvements of nowcasting of discharge forecasts in twelve Dutch catchments and polders.

Worldwide freshwater resources are under increasing pressure from rapidly intensifying climate change effects, putting the availability and quality of water resources and socio-economic developments at risk. River basin organizations need to be prepared.

Worldwide, sand reserves are dwindling, while more and more sand is needed to protect coasts against rising sea levels. As part of the National Science Agenda, a study will be launched focusing on the ecological optimisation of sand extraction in the North Sea. To maintain the health of the marine ecosystem and to ensure it can continue to serve as a source of food. Together with about 20 other research applications, this project, in which Deltares is one of the consortium partners, was recently selected as Research along Routes by Consortia (NWA ORC call 2020/2021).

Deltares and researchers from other institutions have drawn up a new time series for global carbon emissions from deforestation. The series is the missing link in terms of the improved understanding of the global carbon cycle and it implies that the natural uptake of CO2 by the land and oceans is more efficient than previously assumed.

REACHOUT is a European Commission funded research and innovation project to advance user-oriented climate services to support the implementation of the Green Deal. Therefore, research partners, climate service providers and city stakeholders are co-developing a coherent set of services for seven city hubs across the EU.

A lot of claims are made worldwide about how nature – such as willow trees or mangroves – can help to provide protection against flooding, typhoons and tsunamis. Until now, however, there have been few studies looking at how natural systems behave in extreme conditions like super storms. How well do trees break waves, and can they cope? A paper published this week in Scientific Reports by scientists from Deltares, the Netherlands Institute for Marine Research (NIOZ) and Delft University of Technology, provides the first evidence about how we can best use trees for flood risk management.

High-impact and global crises like the current pandemic reveal our preparedness for disasters. COVID-19 has shown how difficult it can be to effectively respond to severe unprecedented disruptions. As our economies are struggling to adapt to the new normal, researchers are examining how we can learn from this systemic shock to increase societies’ resilience to future pandemics as well as worldwide disruptions, such as the climate crisis. RECEIPT, a H2020 project led by Deltares, is using novel scientific methods to foster preparedness.

Our latest edition of our corporate magazine 'Deltalife' just came out. Climate change is the challenging context for our knowledge, system analyses and the exploration of action perspectives for integrated water management.