Influence of Flooding Events on Suspended Matter Quality of the Meuse River (The Netherlands)

Zwolsman, J. J. G.; ,

Influence of Flooding Events on Suspended Matter Quality of the Meuse River (The Netherlands)

by J. J. G. Zwolsman,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: North American Water and Environment Congress & Destructive Water

Abstract:

Flooding events of the Rhine and Meuse Rivers have struck The Netherlands in 1993 and 1995. In the Meuse River basin, the river forelands have been widely used for housing and agro-industrial activity, while the forelands of the Rhine River and its branches are more commonly used for agricultural purposes. Although collaps ing of dikes was a real threat in the Rhine River in 1995, the most serious effects of the recent loadings have been felt in the Meuse River basin. During the 1993 and 1995 floods, some 20 villages, situated in the forelands of the Meuse River, became completely isolated by the river water and were flooded to various extents. No people drowned during these floodings, but the damage to property and goods was enormous. In view of the serious pollution of the Meuse River by organic contaminants and trace metals, concern was expressed about the danger to public health of the material that was deposited (in gardens, houses, etc.) during these floods. This work deals with the (evolution of) suspended matter quality during river floods, focusing on the Meuse River flood in December 1993.

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