Land reclamation in other countries

Empoldering

In some countries in the Netherlands, much of the land is below sea level. In order to drain the waterlogged land for agriculture and other purposes, people resort to land reclamation by building dykes. Dykes are raised embarkments. This method is called empoldering, and the land created is called polder. For more than 300 years, the Dutch have been turning marshlands, lakes and seas into farmlands through empoldering,

Empoldering refers to the creation of polders.

A polder is a piece of land lying in a low lying area reclaimed froma body of water by building dykes and by drainage.

Empoldering can be carried out in coastal and inland areas such as lakes.

Features of Polders

-Polders are enclosed by dykes to keep out the sea.

-To prevent the polders from being waterlogged, they are managed by drainage canals and pumps.

Dykes protect the polder from erosion.

Drainage canals carry away excess water from the polders.

Method of empoldering

1) A dyke is constructed around the area to be reclaimed to keep water from coming in. The water in the reclaimed area is replaced by freshwater.

2)Secondly, pumps and drainage canals are used to drain the area.

3)Thirdly, reeds are sown to help to soil absorb excess water from the soil.

4) Three years later, the reeds are burnt. Drainage pipes are constructed. Ploughs are used to mix the fertile ash into the soil.

5) After around 15 years, the polder can still be used for growing crops, building houses and constructing roads.

Careful land use planning is necessary before embarking on empoldering products as there is a need to have a balance between making the best use of land and causing the least harm to the environment.