Page 29 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

A POR TR AIT OF THE NE THERLANDS  27

The Story of Hans Brinker
The tale of the little boy who held his
finger in a leak in a dyke to hold back
the sea is not a figure from Dutch
folklore but probably originated in the
book Hans Brinker, or, The Silver Skates,
by American writer Mary Mapes
Dodge (1831–1905). It tells the story
of a poverty-stricken boy who helps
his ailing father. Hans and the doctor
in the book (Boerhaave) are historical
figures. The story was published in
over 100 editions in Dodge’s lifetime.

Floods in the river valleys in 1993 and 1995
led to the implementation of large-scale dyke
reinforcement projects, known as the “delta plan
for the large rivers”. Old flood channels were
also repaired as a matter of priority to allow
more water to drain off.
Over-Betuwe is an area of Statue of Hans Brinker in Spaarndam
Neder-Betuwe is probably fruit orchards, horticulture
Holland’s most important and cattle farming. Montferland is an important
fruit-growing region. The Pannerdens region of lateral moraines.
Canal currently
connects the Upper These moraines were
and Lower Rhineland. formed by
67.1 m (220 ft) the actions
of glaciers.
above sea level
Merwede
Canal

AMSTERDAM
Sea level
ROTTERDAM
6.74 m (22 ft) below sea level
MAASTRICHT
Locator Map

Cross-section of a Modern River Dyke
Blocks of boulder clay protect the dyke from the wash of the river. The water seeps through the
water-resistant clay layer slowly, draining off quickly only once it reaches the sand layer. This way the
body of the dyke stays dry and hard.

Water table Winter dyke Concrete blocks Water meadows Summer dyke

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