Editing Netherlands (section)

===Delta Works===
{{Main|Delta Works|Flood control in the Netherlands}}
[[File:Karte der Bauwerke des Deltaprojekts.png|thumb|left|The [[Delta Works]] are located in the provinces of [[South Holland]] and [[Zeeland]].]]

After the [[North Sea Flood of 1953|1953 disaster]], the Delta Works was constructed, which is a comprehensive set of civil works throughout the Dutch coast. The project started in 1958 and was largely completed in 1997 with the completion of the [[Maeslantkering]]. Since then, new projects have been periodically started to renovate and renew the Delta Works. The main goal of the Delta project was to reduce the risk of flooding in South Holland and Zeeland. This was achieved by raising {{convert|3000|km|mi|abbr=on}} of outer sea-dikes and {{convert|10000|km|mi|abbr=on}} of the inner, canal, and river dikes, and by closing off the sea [[estuary|estuaries]] of Zeeland. New risk assessments occasionally show problems requiring additional Delta project dike reinforcements. The Delta project is considered by the [[American Society of Civil Engineers]] as one of the [[Wonders of the World#American Society of Civil Engineers|seven wonders of the modern world]].<ref>[http://www.asce.org/Content.aspx?id=2147487305 Seven Wonders] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802060056/http://www.asce.org/Content.aspx?id=2147487305 |date=2 August 2010}}. Asce.org (19 July 2010). Retrieved on 21 August 2012.</ref>

It is anticipated that [[global warming]] will result in a rise in sea level. The Netherlands is actively preparing for a sea-level rise. A politically neutral Delta Commission has formulated an action plan to cope with a sea-level rise of {{convert|1.10|m|ft|abbr=on|0}} and a simultaneous land height decline of {{convert|10|cm|in|abbr=on|0}}. The plan encompasses the reinforcement of existing coastal defences like [[Levee|dike]]s and [[dune]]s with {{convert|1.30|m|ft|abbr=on}} of additional flood protection. Climate change will not only threaten the Netherlands from the coast, but could also alter rainfall patterns and river run-off. To protect the country from river flooding, another programme is already being executed. The [[Room for the River (Netherlands)|Room for the River plan]] grants more flow space to rivers, protects the major populated areas and allows for periodic flooding of indefensible lands. The few residents who lived in these so-called "overflow areas" have been moved to higher ground, with some of that ground having been raised above anticipated flood levels.<ref name=NYT021313>{{cite news|title=Going With the Flow|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/17/arts/design/flood-control-in-the-netherlands-now-allows-sea-water-in.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214132056/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/17/arts/design/flood-control-in-the-netherlands-now-allows-sea-water-in.html |archive-date=14 February 2013 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=19 February 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=13 February 2013|author=Kimmelman, Michael}}</ref>