Planned infrastructure works
SYMSAGEL : Estimated cost of the works +/- 724.000 €
Three dry valley retention basins at Coyecques, Dennebroeucq and Magnicourt-en-Comté: these protection structures, respectively known as “Mont de Marne”, “fossé Wandonne”, and “vallée d’Aubigny”, consist of a transverse earth embankment allowing temporary storage of rural runoff water.
USAN : Estimated cost of the works +/- 1.644.000 €
– FEZ (Flood Expansion Zone) on the Zerclebecque watercourse at Sercus: Located upstream of the municipality, this retention basin consists of a series of 4 basins dug in cascade. The whole structure is designed for a buffering volume of 7,700 m³, enabling the inhabitants of Sercus to be protected against fifty-year floods and smaller events. The entire basin will be developed ecologically as a wetland, and hydromorphological restoration of the Zerclebecque watercourse will be carried out (meanders, helophyte benches, wet meadow, etc.).
– FEZ on the Grande Steenbecque at Morbeque (locality called Romarin): Is based on additional water storage upstream of an embankment built across the floodplain and the watercourse. The structure is designed for a buffering volume of 50,000 m³, enabling the inhabitants of Steenbecque and Morbeque to be protected against twenty-year floods and smaller events.
Ecological features complement the developments (planting of riparian woodland, creation of ponds, wet meadows, etc.). On the flooded areas, over-flooding easements, through usage agreements and compensation for owners and farmers, will guarantee the continuation of agricultural activity in these areas.
HIT : Estimated cost of the works +/- 1.500.000 €
FEZ on the Kortekeer at Houthem: will be located along two watercourses: the Kortekeer and the Gaverbeek, the latter being a cross-border watercourse with Flanders. It is planned to reduce the bank of the cross-border watercourse in order to allow storage of a significant quantity of water, around 20,000 m³, during flood periods. These developments will be respectful of nature, while preserving as many willows in place as possible and only creating an artificial concrete flow limiter to regulate buffering when needed for various purposes.
A landscaping scheme is also planned, including the creation in particular of a small wood and the planting of hedges, etc.
PFO : Estimated cost of the works +/- 1.192.000 €
FEZ on the Geluwe brook at Wervik: just upstream of the centre of the village of Geluwe, a controlled flood zone will be built with a storage volume of 30,000 m³. To this end, a berm will be constructed perpendicular to the watercourse. The installation of a weir limiting the flow will slow down the water in the watercourse and draw more on the valley so that it can play its role as a buffer. A longer residence time for this water in the valley also allows the water to remain longer in the meadows and infiltrate more, which also helps to better replenish groundwater reserves.