Few countries exist where humans have exerted a greater influence in shaping the landscape than the Netherlands. Located in the lowland delta of three major rivers, this small European country has fought for more than a thousand years to protect its inhabitants from floods and to reclaim flooded land. ""Designed for Dry Feet"" explores Holland's unique challenges in water control and management. Hoeksema begins by discussing the history of flood protection and land reclamation as well as the history of water management organizations. He then focuses on specific activities and projects, such as simple dwelling mounds, 17th-century windmill-powered lake draining systems, 19th-century steam-powered drainage activities, and 20th-century land reclamation and flood protection projects. Hoeksema also includes information about travel in the Netherlands, which he organizes into six excursions designed for those visiting this magnificent country. This book will certainly be a great asset to civil engineers from all over the world, as the technology from one country's battle with flood protection is borrowed to rebuild others.

About the Author
Robert J. Hoeksema, Ph.D., is a professor of engineering at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a research focus on geostatistics and groundwater. Since 2000, he also has provided hydrologic modeling expertise for the engineering firm of Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr, and Huber. Hoeksema's interest in Dutch hydraulic engineering began about ten years ago when he taught a mini-course with a geographer colleague. Since then, they have taken students on regular tours of the Netherlands to learn about Dutch flood protection and land reclamation.


Book Information
ISBN 9780784408292
Author Robert J. Hoeksema
Format Paperback
Page Count 168
Imprint American Society of Civil Engineers
Publisher American Society of Civil Engineers
Weight(grams) 495g