Case study:Lippenbroek Regulated Tidal Exchange Scheme - Revision history

Ascarr at 12:38, 31 July 2025

2025-07-31T12:38:11Z

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			{{Location
			\|Location=51.08596, 4.17209
			}}
	{{Project overview		{{Project overview
	\|Status=Complete		\|Status=Complete
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	\|Approval status=Approved		\|Approval status=Approved
	}}		}}
	~~{{Location~~
	~~\|Location=51.08595981075308, 4.172092437220272~~
	}}

	{{Image gallery}}		{{Image gallery}}

Ascarr at 12:37, 31 July 2025

2025-07-31T12:37:47Z

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	~~{{Case study status~~
	~~\|Approval status=Approved~~
	}}
	~~{{Location~~
	~~\|Location=51.08595981075308, 4.172092437220272~~
	}}
	{{Project overview		{{Project overview
	\|Status=Complete		\|Status=Complete
	\|Project web site url=www.lippenbroek.be/		\|Project web site url=www.lippenbroek.be/
	\|Themes=Flood risk management, Habitat and biodiversity		\|Themes=Estuary, Flood risk management, Habitat and biodiversity
	\|Country=Belgium		\|Country=Belgium
	\|Main contact forename=Susanne		\|Main contact forename=Susanne
	\|Main contact surname=Armstrong		\|Main contact surname=Armstrong
	\|Contact organisation=ABPmer		\|Contact organisation=ABPmer
	\|Partner organisations=University of Antwerp, W&Z,		\|Partner organisations=University of Antwerp, W&Z
	\|Multi-site=No		\|Multi-site=No
	\|Project picture=Lippenbroek Regulated Tidal Exchange Scheme.jpg		\|Project picture=Lippenbroek Regulated Tidal Exchange Scheme.jpg
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	The most suitable sluice configuration was determined through several test wettings. For the outflow, a pre-existing outfall sluice, which is about 10m to the left of the inlet sluice structure, is utilised. Its invert level is at 1.5mTAW; the pipe is 40.2m long and has a 1.5m diameter. An artificial creek was dug connecting the inlet sluice level with the existing polder ditch. The danger of channels short-circuiting was diminished by subduing the channel along the foot of the ring dike(personal communication with Tom Maris, University of Antwerp; Cox et al., 2006). An intensive monitoring programme was initiated, and the first results are now available.		The most suitable sluice configuration was determined through several test wettings. For the outflow, a pre-existing outfall sluice, which is about 10m to the left of the inlet sluice structure, is utilised. Its invert level is at 1.5mTAW; the pipe is 40.2m long and has a 1.5m diameter. An artificial creek was dug connecting the inlet sluice level with the existing polder ditch. The danger of channels short-circuiting was diminished by subduing the channel along the foot of the ring dike(personal communication with Tom Maris, University of Antwerp; Cox et al., 2006). An intensive monitoring programme was initiated, and the first results are now available.
	\|Monitoring surveys and results=An extensive monitoring programme has been initiated to research the development of the site. Nine research groups from different universities and research institutes are working together to achieve optimal linkage of results on the following factors (Maris et al., 2008):		\|Monitoring surveys and results=An extensive monitoring programme has been initiated to research the development of the site. Nine research groups from different universities and research institutes are working together to achieve optimal linkage of results on the following factors (Maris et al., 2008):
	Basic water quality (4/annum)		*Basic water quality (4/annum)
	Sedimentation/erosion (4/annum)		*Sedimentation/erosion (4/annum)
	Bioturbation (4/annum)		*Bioturbation (4/annum)
	Soil heavy metal (4/annum)		*Soil heavy metal (4/annum)
	Birds (52/annum) Soil nutrients (4/annum)		*Birds (52/annum)
	Creek morphology (2/annum)		*Soil nutrients (4/annum)
	Suspended solids (continuous)		*Creek morphology (2/annum)
	Fish (2/annum)		*Suspended solids (continuous)
	Tidal regime (continuous)		*Fish (2/annum)
	Ground compaction (4/annum)		*Tidal regime (continuous)
	Vegetation (4/annum)		*Ground compaction (4/annum)
	Light climate (4/annum)		*Vegetation (4/annum)
	Water balance (continuous)		*Light climate (4/annum)
	Macro-invertebrates (4/annum)		*Water balance (continuous)
	Water heavy metal (4/annum)		*Macro-invertebrates (4/annum)
	Sediment size (4/annum)		*Water heavy metal (4/annum)
			*Sediment size (4/annum)

	'''Sedimentation''': With respect to sedimentation, Maris et al. (2008) point out that whilst sedimentation is on the one hand desired in tidal marshes there are also associated negative implications. The input of fresh sediment enables the advancement of typical marsh morphology and marsh soil, which in turn promotes the establishment of estuarine vegetation and fauna. Conversely excessive sedimentation is to be avoided in a flood storage polder, as this leads to decreased water storage capacity. Due to the enclosed nature of a flood storage polder, the environment is less dynamic and thus the potential for sedimentation is increased, particularly during longer stagnant phases. At Lippenbroek, at all but one of the 10 sedimentation measurement sites, net sedimentation was observed between March 2006 and November 2007, varying between 0.5 to 12.5 cm/year.		'''Sedimentation''': With respect to sedimentation, Maris et al. (2008) point out that whilst sedimentation is on the one hand desired in tidal marshes there are also associated negative implications. The input of fresh sediment enables the advancement of typical marsh morphology and marsh soil, which in turn promotes the establishment of estuarine vegetation and fauna. Conversely excessive sedimentation is to be avoided in a flood storage polder, as this leads to decreased water storage capacity. Due to the enclosed nature of a flood storage polder, the environment is less dynamic and thus the potential for sedimentation is increased, particularly during longer stagnant phases. At Lippenbroek, at all but one of the 10 sedimentation measurement sites, net sedimentation was observed between March 2006 and November 2007, varying between 0.5 to 12.5 cm/year.
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	\|Lessons learn=The CRT technique employed at Lippenbroek has potential applicability for habitat creation along other heavily developed estuaries. It furthermore represents a technique which can significantly reduce the tidal prism of a site, without compromising the development of a range of intertidal habitats, thus minimising potential negative effects on small estuary systems. The technique also enables the establishment of intertidal habitats at lower elevations in the tidal frame than those of intertidal systems fronting a defence, and would thus be of potential use in areas where land levels behind a defence are relatively low compared to fronting levels. However, longer flood duration and low-turbidity stages may lead to higher accretion rates than in adjacent natural systems(ABPmer, 2008).		\|Lessons learn=The CRT technique employed at Lippenbroek has potential applicability for habitat creation along other heavily developed estuaries. It furthermore represents a technique which can significantly reduce the tidal prism of a site, without compromising the development of a range of intertidal habitats, thus minimising potential negative effects on small estuary systems. The technique also enables the establishment of intertidal habitats at lower elevations in the tidal frame than those of intertidal systems fronting a defence, and would thus be of potential use in areas where land levels behind a defence are relatively low compared to fronting levels. However, longer flood duration and low-turbidity stages may lead to higher accretion rates than in adjacent natural systems(ABPmer, 2008).
	}}		}}
			{{Case study status
			\|Approval status=Approved
			}}
			{{Location
			\|Location=51.08595981075308, 4.172092437220272
			}}

	{{Image gallery}}		{{Image gallery}}
	{{Case study image		{{Case study image

Ascarr at 10:14, 3 January 2014

2014-01-03T10:14:12Z

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	{{Site		{{Site
	\|Name=Lippenbroak		\|Name=Lippenbroak
	\|WFD (national) typology=intertidal,		\|WFD (national) typology=intertidal,
	\|WFD water body name=Lower Scheldt estuary		\|WFD water body name=Lower Scheldt estuary
	\|Heavily modified water body=No		\|Heavily modified water body=No
	\|Protected species present=No		\|Protected species present=No
	\|Invasive species present=No		\|Invasive species present=No
	\|Dominant hydrology=Tidal,		\|Dominant hydrology=Tidal,
	\|Dominant substrate=Estuarine mud,		\|Dominant substrate=Estuarine mud,
			\|River corridor land use=Intensive agriculture (arable),
	}}		}}
	{{Project background		{{Project background

Ascarr at 10:13, 3 January 2014

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	\|Dominant substrate=Estuarine mud,		\|Dominant substrate=Estuarine mud,
	}}		}}
	{{Project background}}		{{Project background
			\|Reach length directly affected=10ha
			\|Works completed=2006/03/01
			\|Funding sources=Provided by ANB (the Flemish Nature and Forestry Agency) (owners of Lippenbroek).
			}}
	{{Motivations		{{Motivations
	\|Specific mitigation=Flood risk management,		\|Specific mitigation=Flood risk management,

Ascarr at 10:10, 3 January 2014

2014-01-03T10:10:20Z

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	{{Site		{{Site
	\|Name=Lippenbroak		\|Name=Lippenbroak
			\|WFD (national) typology=intertidal,
	\|WFD water body name=Lower Scheldt estuary		\|WFD water body name=Lower Scheldt estuary
	\|Heavily modified water body=No		\|Heavily modified water body=No
	\|Protected species present=No		\|Protected species present=No
	\|Invasive species present=No		\|Invasive species present=No
	\|Dominant hydrology=~~Estuary~~,		\|Dominant hydrology=Tidal,
	\|Dominant substrate=Estuarine mud,		\|Dominant substrate=Estuarine mud,
	}}		}}
	{{Project background}}		{{Project background}}

Ascarr at 10:08, 3 January 2014

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	{{Additional Documents end}}		{{Additional Documents end}}
	{{Additional links and references header}}		{{Additional links and references header}}
			{{Additional links and references
			\|Link=www.vliz.be/projects/omes/news.php?#lip
			\|Description=Case study/monitoring outline of OMES (Research on the environmental effects of the SIGMA plan
			}}
	{{Additional links and references footer}}		{{Additional links and references footer}}
	{{Supplementary Information		{{Supplementary Information

Ascarr at 10:08, 3 January 2014

2014-01-03T10:08:03Z

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	{{Project overview		{{Project overview
	\|Status=Complete		\|Status=Complete
			\|Project web site url=www.lippenbroek.be/
	\|Themes=Flood risk management, Habitat and biodiversity		\|Themes=Flood risk management, Habitat and biodiversity
	\|Country=Belgium		\|Country=Belgium

Ascarr at 10:06, 3 January 2014

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	{{Monitoring documents end}}		{{Monitoring documents end}}
	{{Additional Documents}}		{{Additional Documents}}
			{{Case study documents
			\|File name=Lippenbroek Regulated Tidal Exchange Scheme.pdf
			\|Description=ABPmer report
			}}
	{{Additional Documents end}}		{{Additional Documents end}}
	{{Additional links and references header}}		{{Additional links and references header}}

Ascarr at 10:05, 3 January 2014

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	{{Additional links and references header}}		{{Additional links and references header}}
	{{Additional links and references footer}}		{{Additional links and references footer}}
	{{Supplementary Information}}		{{Supplementary Information
			\|Information=*ABPmer, 2008. Habitat Creation in Flood Storage Areas. ABPmer report R.1441
			Cox, T., Maris, T., de Vleeschauwer, P., de Mulder, T., Soetaert, K. & Meire, P., 2006. Flood control areas as an opportunity to restore estuarine habitat. Ecological Engineering 28(1), 55-63.
			*Maris, T., Cox, T., Jacobs, S., Beauchard, O., Teuchies, J., van Liefferinge, C., Temmerman, S.,van den Bruwaene, W. & Meire, P., 2008. Natuurontwikkeling in het Lippenbroek - herstel van estuariene natuur via een gecontroleerd gereduceerd getij. Natuur.focus 7(1), 21-27.
			*Maris T., Cox T., Temmerman S., De Vleeschauwer P., Van Damme S., De Mulder T., Van den
			Bergh E. and Meire P., 2007. Tuning the tide: creating ecological conditions for tidal marsh development in a controlled inundation area. Hydrobiologia 588, 31-43.
			*Simoens, I., Breine, J., Van Liefferinge, C., Stevens, M., and Belpaire, C., 2007. Het belang van het Lippenbroek als habitat voor vissen in de Zeeschelde. Congres Watersysteemkennis 2006 –2007 - Ecologisch Herstel; 4p.
			}}
	{{Toggle content end}}		{{Toggle content end}}

Ascarr at 10:04, 3 January 2014

2014-01-03T10:04:09Z

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	{{Project overview		{{Project overview
	\|Status=Complete		\|Status=Complete
	\|Themes=Habitat and biodiversity		\|Themes=Flood risk management, Habitat and biodiversity
	\|Country=Belgium		\|Country=Belgium
	\|Main contact forename=Susanne		\|Main contact forename=Susanne
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	elevation, without significantly affecting the pattern of spring and neap tides (Figure 1). Important parts of the polder therefore receive flooding frequencies comparable to those of the fronting saltmarshes. However, the high inlet/low outlet technique does lead to a distortion of the tidal movement; the tidal curve is no longer sinuous but has a stagnant phase. This is due to water only flowing in around high water (‘top of the tide’), and only exiting once water levels outside in the estuary have fallen low enough for the gravity controlled outfall sluice to open. The authors stressed that the inlet structure had to be sufficiently high, to achieve a significant difference in ingress duration and volume, and thus bring about a large variation in water levels. It was also highlighted that flood frequencies are mainly stipulated by the sluice configuration, no longer by the elevation in relation to the tidal frame; this allows marsh development in lower lying areas (Maris et		elevation, without significantly affecting the pattern of spring and neap tides (Figure 1). Important parts of the polder therefore receive flooding frequencies comparable to those of the fronting saltmarshes. However, the high inlet/low outlet technique does lead to a distortion of the tidal movement; the tidal curve is no longer sinuous but has a stagnant phase. This is due to water only flowing in around high water (‘top of the tide’), and only exiting once water levels outside in the estuary have fallen low enough for the gravity controlled outfall sluice to open. The authors stressed that the inlet structure had to be sufficiently high, to achieve a significant difference in ingress duration and volume, and thus bring about a large variation in water levels. It was also highlighted that flood frequencies are mainly stipulated by the sluice configuration, no longer by the elevation in relation to the tidal frame; this allows marsh development in lower lying areas (Maris et
	al., 2008).		al., 2008).


	\|Lessons learn=The CRT technique employed at Lippenbroek has potential applicability for habitat creation along other heavily developed estuaries. It furthermore represents a technique which can significantly reduce the tidal prism of a site, without compromising the development of a range of intertidal habitats, thus minimising potential negative effects on small estuary systems. The technique also enables the establishment of intertidal habitats at lower elevations in the tidal frame than those of intertidal systems fronting a defence, and would thus be of potential use in areas where land levels behind a defence are relatively low compared to fronting levels. However, longer flood duration and low-turbidity stages may lead to higher accretion rates than in adjacent natural systems(ABPmer, 2008).		\|Lessons learn=The CRT technique employed at Lippenbroek has potential applicability for habitat creation along other heavily developed estuaries. It furthermore represents a technique which can significantly reduce the tidal prism of a site, without compromising the development of a range of intertidal habitats, thus minimising potential negative effects on small estuary systems. The technique also enables the establishment of intertidal habitats at lower elevations in the tidal frame than those of intertidal systems fronting a defence, and would thus be of potential use in areas where land levels behind a defence are relatively low compared to fronting levels. However, longer flood duration and low-turbidity stages may lead to higher accretion rates than in adjacent natural systems(ABPmer, 2008).
	}}		}}