Lippenbroek

The Lippenbroek is a former polder in the Belgian freshwater part of the Schelde-estuary, currently functioning as a pilot project for the restoration of intertidal habitat in a densely populated estuary. The area of 10 ha, situated on the territory of the Belgian community of Hamme, started functioning as a flood control area (FCA) in march 2006. Through a construction of sluices, the area is in close contact with the river Schelde: water is flowing in at high tide, and out at low tide. The sluices are designed to obtain a water regime in the area, comparable to the one in natural mudflats and (freshwater) tidal marshes along the Schelde. In this way, the Lippenbroek combines a safety function (protection against extreme spring tide) with a nature development function. In the framework of the Belgian Sigmaplan, aimed at protecting the whole river basin against floods, more areas along the Schelde will be designed similarly.