Korea Gets Movable Barrier

The barrier's purpose is to increase the draining capacity of the Nakdong River. By draining the excess water, the river can be better managed. This benefits ecology, irrigation, and flood-water safety, which means that the quality of life of the local population is improved.

The barrier is to be built on the edge of the port city of Busan, which, with 4.6 million inhabitants, is the second largest city in Korea and the country's most important port. According to Wim Klomp, DHV's project director, "the barrier can be compared to the Haringvliet barrier in the Netherlands. The big difference is that the flood threat in Korea doesn't come from the sea, but from the rivers themselves. This means that the barrier's curvature is turned toward the sea."

The Nakdong Barrier is over 300 meters long, with a mid span of almost 100 meters. In the past, DHV was also involved in the construction of the current barrier. "Because of climate change and sedimentation in the river's feeder channels, there is a need for extra drainage capacity," explains Klomp.

DHV is working closely on the project with Samsung Engineering & Construction and Yooshin. The client is K-water, which is part of the South Korean directorate for public works and water management.