Philipsdam - 1987
The Philipsdam is one of the Delta works that was completed in 1987. It forms a part of the compartment works that were built for making the Oosterschelde smaller.
By building an open Oosterscheldekering ( barrier) the influence of the tides was taken away. That is why many nature places around the Oosterschelde fell dry, when others were influenced by the tides. To raise the water level the decision was made to make the Oosterschelde smaller. The Oosterschelde had to be divided into compartments. The dams that were built for this were called compartment works. These are the Philipsdam( between the Grevelingendam en St Philipsland), the Oesterdam ( between Tholen and South-Beveland), the Markiezaatskade( between South-Beveland and North-Brabant) and the Bathse Spuikanaal, a quick release sluice through South-Beveland. The closed off waters ( Het Krammer, Volkerak, Zoommeer and Markiezaatsmeer) became fresh watered. For the mud flats and marshes this was a good thing and it also meant that these dams would save the oyster cultivation in Yerseke. Oyster cultivators are dependent of the currents and tides. Secondly there was now a current free water behind the dams that came together with the Schelde-Rijn connection. And the dams protected ,together with the Oosterschelde barrier the areas behind it, against high water levels.
The dam has been placed as far back in the Oosterschelde as possible, so that the marshes of St Philipsland would not be behind the dam. The fresh, stagnant water would mean the end of the marshes. The building of the Philipsdam was made easier by temporarily closing the Oosterschelde barrier. This method was also used at the Oesterdam.
For more information check; www.deltawerken.com/48.htlm
