Oosterscheldekering

thumb|One of the three movable barrier sections of the Oosterscheldekering during a storm thumb|Topographical map of the Oosterscheldedam. Alternatingly it consists of five sections: three movable flood barriers and two artificial islands. The Oosterscheldekering ( English: Eastern Scheldt barrier), between the islands Schouwen-Duiveland and Noord-Beveland, is the largest of the Delta Works, a series of dams and storm surge barriers designed to protect the Netherlands from flooding from the North Sea. The construction of the Delta Works was a response to the widespread damage and loss of life in the North Sea flood of 1953.

== Surge barrier == The second longest dam in the Delta Works, after the 10.5-kilometre-long Oesterdam, the nine-kilometre-long Oosterscheldekering (kering meaning barrier) was initially designed, and partly built, as a closed dam, but after public protests, huge sluice-gate-type doors were installed in the remaining four kilometres. These doors are normally open, but can be closed under adverse weather conditions. In this way, the saltwater marine life behind the dam is preserved and fishing can continue, while the land behind the dam is safe from the water. Notable figures involved in the design of the Oosterscheldekering included Jan Agema, and from 1976 the design of the project was led by Frank Spaargaren.