Oesterdam, Delta Works dam in Zeeland, Netherlands
The Oesterdam is a dam extending across the Eastern Schelde, linking Tholen and South Beveland with a concrete and earthen structure. It includes a lock system for ship passage and movable storm barriers, with sections designed to allow water and marine life to flow through naturally in different seasons.
The dam was built between 1976 and 1986 as part of the Delta Works project, which began after a major North Sea flood in 1953 killed thousands and flooded entire regions. This construction solved a critical problem: how to protect the low-lying coastlands where millions of people lived.
The dam takes its name from oyster farming, which once shaped life for people living along this waterway and remains part of local memory. You can still find reminders of this heritage in the fishing villages nearby and the stories locals share about their families' past.
You can walk or cycle along the top of the dam, where a path runs the full length and offers wide views of the water on both sides. Spring through fall offers the best conditions for exploration, with milder weather and fewer wind challenges than winter months.
The structure doubles as a popular destination for kite surfers, who take advantage of the steady winds that blow across the Eastern Schelde. This water sport activity attracts enthusiasts from across the region who come for consistent riding conditions.
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