The living Grensmaas

In the 1980s, public resistance in Limburg grew against large-scale gravel extraction, which leaves behind vast, deep lakes. As a result, in 1989, the Province of Limburg decided to gradually phase out gravel mining in a socially responsible way. Bureau Stroming was commissioned to explore the possibilities for nature development in combination with gravel extraction. This led to the Grensmaas Plan, which became the foundation for all further planning.

Flood protection 

On 24 October 2017, more than 20 years after the floods of 1993 and 1995, full flood protection was achieved. Today, if river discharges match those of the disastrous Christmas floods of 1993, tens of thousands of residents in towns and villages are protected from floods. 

Objectives

• Large-scale nature development and ecological restoration of the river, creating a new nature reserve of at least 1,000 hectares.
• Extraction of gravel to meet the national demand.

After the floods of 1993 and 1995, a third objective was added:

• Reducing flood risks, with protection designed for a water level that statistically occurs once every 250 years.

An attractive landscape

Further planning and development are managed by De Maaswerken, a project organisation where the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Fisheries, and the Province of Limburg work together.

As a long, continuous nature reserve, the Grensmaas improves the quality of life for thousands of people, offering a beautiful landscape within walking and cycling distance. This peaceful form of recreation also provides an economic boost to the villages along the river. Once gravel extraction is complete, the area is managed by Natuurmonumenten and Staatsbosbeheer.

Ongoing involvement

Since 2016, Stroming has been involved in various optimisation projects, commissioned by both Consortium Grensmaas and Natuurmonumenten.

In addition, Stroming works on Management and Final Plans for different locations, together with local residents and future managers, on behalf of Consortium Grensmaas. These plans are delivered to the Province of Limburg.

On 12 November 2020, the project won Het Zonnetje, an award recognising it as a shining example for all flood protection projects in the Netherlands.