Due to the new water storage area De Dijken – Bakkerom, the De Dijken polder has become a water basin. Residents are protected by dikes that are one year old

A watery sun reflects on the waves that gently lap against the dike. The chilly wind rips across the water. De Dijken, normally a dry polder, is now full of water. Erwin Hut (35) and Carla Elzinga (30) live in the middle of it, protected by a dike. “If it broke through now, the water would be up to here,” laughs Carla. Her hand hovers around her waist.