During the July 2021 floods, the siphon under the Julianakanaal near Bunde experienced flooding, partly due to the presence of debris at the entrance of the siphon. After the floods, the water authority placed poles to prevent floating debris from blocking the entrance to avoid clogging during future events. On 15 July, 2026 the measurement campaign in Bunde started. For our research, we are interested in the characteristics of debris transport in the Geul, to reduce debris-induced flooding, both here and in other locations.
About the campaign
We are interested in the quantities and arrival times of floating debris under various hydrological conditions (e.g. precipitation, discharge). For this, we are taking pictures every 15 minutes to see how the debris accumulates. We also monitor the water level to see how it changes when more debris arrives at the structure. We have a similar campaign near Weert, where we monitor debris in the Tungelrooysebeek.
In the coming years, heavy rain events may mobilise debris from the banks of the Geul, which is then transported downstream. By analysing these images, we aim to determine under which conditions debris transport occurs and and in what quantities.
The ultimate goal of the campaign is two-fold:
- To monitor how much debris can be expected for certain rain events and discharges, which will improve how we can design similar structures to minimize the consequences of clogging.
- To identify locations in The Netherlands and neighboring countries that are potentially vulnerable to clogging and subsequent flooding. By acting early, we can intervene swiftly and mitigate the consequences
This monitoring campaign is part of a PhD project at TU Delft investigating the transport and accumulation of floating debris during flood events. The research is supported by the JCAR-ATRACE programme.
How long will the campaign last?
The measurement campaign will last at least 3 years, depending on the obtained results. Updates will be placed on this page periodically to notify if the duration of the campaign changes or if any results are published.
Data collection and privacy
During the measurement campaign we have taken extensive measures to ensure privacy for all residents and visitors in the area. All data is encrypted and stored in a server within the Netherlands. Before storing the images, we apply a blur to all publicly accesible areas that are in view of the camera. Therefore, images are never stored in a recognizable way and your privacy is protected.
Additional questions, ideas or remarks?
We look forward to have a discussion with you and are happy to answer any questions you might have! Please send a message to M.R.Kerver@tudelft.nl and we will get back to you as soon as possible!
