Johan van Veen | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Johan van Veen (1953) | |
| Born | (1893-12-21)21 December 1893 Uithuizermeeden, Netherlands |
| Died | 9 December 1959(1959-12-09) (aged 65) The Hague, Netherlands |
| Alma mater | Delft University of Technology |
| Occupation | Civil engineer |
| Employer | Rijkswaterstaat |
| Organization | Government |
| Notable work | Delta Works |
Johan van Veen (Uithuizermeeden, 21 December 1893 –The Hague, 9 December 1959) was a Dutchhydraulic engineer. He is considered the father of theDelta Works.
Johan van Veen was the fifth child of seven in a farming family. He was the brother of Marie van Veen, married to the artistJohan Dijkstra. In 1913, after high school graduation, he started his studies inDelft at theTechnische Hoogeschool van Delft. He studiedcivil engineering. In 1919, he graduated as "ingenieur" (equivalent to M.Sc. in engineering).[1]
Van Veen worked as an engineer for the Drainage Department of the Provincial Water Authority of the Province ofDrenthe. The task of this department was to develop plans to improve the drainage and road structure of the province. In turn, this would enlarge the agricultural yield and to transport the products in a more efficient way to the markets (in the western part of the Netherlands).
DuringWorld War I, it became evident that the Netherlands depended too strongly on food products from abroad. The interwar years were focused on agriculture. In order to have solid grounds for such plans, the borders of watersheds were charted, discharge measurements were made and leveling out valleys and the adjacent higher grounds works were executed. Van Veen carried out these studies in cooperation with agricultural engineer F.P. Mesu (who graduated inWageningen).[2]
In 1926, van Veen left the Provincial Water Authority. From August 1926 to October 1928, he worked inSurinam at the Surinaamse Bauxiet Maatschappij (Suriname Bauxite Company), later a subsidiary ofAlcoa, inMoengo, Suriname.[3]
In 1929, after his return to the Netherlands, van Veen held a position atRijkswaterstaat (the Executive Agency of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure). He became head of the newly created Research Department for Tidal Rivers and Estuaries. His first assignment was to improve the hydraulic conditions at Hellegat, a complicated bifurcation of estuary branches. He also developed a new method to calculate tides, an improvement on the formulas developed byHendrik Lorentz on the closure of theZuiderzee.He published his Ph.D. thesis on sand movement in theStrait of Dover (which was relevant for Dutch coastal morphology), based on extensive measurements in that area. He wrote many (Dutch) reports on the coasts, tidal movements, estuaries and salt intrusion.[4]
In the years before and duringWorld War II, van Veen executed many studies on the problem of salt intrusion into tidal rivers. As head of Rijkswaterstaat’s Studiedienst from 1933, he commissioned field measurements from the research vesselDe Oceaan to understand currents and sedimentation in the lower rivers and coastal zone. By the late 1930s he was filing reports on the poor state of dikes around places like the Island ofDordrecht, proposing not only higher embankments but also the linking of dike rings and the damming of certain inland waters to protect larger, continuous areas. During the war, he prepared hisVerlandingsplan to manipulate tidal rivers in such a way that natural silting-up would take place, and thus makereclamation less challenging. Just after the war, he presented this plan again, with a focus on repairing infrastructure damaged during the war.[5]
From 1937 onward, van Veen warned about the deplorable condition of the Dutch flood defences. He stipulated that a disaster was imminent, but politically he found no support for his warnings, the main reason being that improvement of dikes would cost a lot of money, which was not available in the Netherlands just after the war (the country depended mainly on money from theMarshall Plan).
In 1939,Pieter Jacobus Wemelsfelder, a colleague of van Veen, published a paper in the journalde Ingenieur(English: The Engineer) that was the first to apply statistical methods to the occurrence of storm surges.[6] His research suggested a shift in design approach, moving away from basing flood design on the highest observed flood level towards designing for a flood with a calculated probability. In the same year, van Veen conducted a factor analysis of storm surges for the first time. His work explored how changes in river run-off, river channel geometry, andsea level rise affected the design flood. Despite these studies focusing on different aspects of storm surges, they arrived at the same conclusion: that the delta region of The Netherlands faced significant dangers.[7] Since 1938, van Veen had been working on plans to mitigate these risks. He proposed constructing a dike ring for four islands, a storm surge barrier in theLek, and a high ring of dikes aroundDordrecht.
In 1940, van Veen was one of the authors of theVoorlopig rapport van de Commissie inzake stormvloeden op de benedenrivieren (English: Preliminary report by the Commission on Storm Surges in the Lower Rivers), which addressed the pressing issue of flood management in the Netherlands' lower river regions. The report identified significant deficiencies in the height of dikes - up to 1 metre in some areas - and highlighted vulnerabilities along critical waterways such as theHollandse IJssel and theMerwede. The commission provided detailed recommendations, includingdike reinforcements, controlledland reclamation, andstrategic closures of vulnerable waterways to mitigate the risk of catastrophic flooding.[8]
The report incorporated advanced hydrological and mathematical analyses for its time, examining factors such asastronomical tides,storm surges, highriver discharge, andlong-term sea level rise, which was projected at 20 centimetres per century. Though the report's findings were not fully acted upon due to the outbreak of World War II, it laid the groundwork for post-warflood management initiatives and presaged the innovative engineering solutions later embodied in theDelta Works. Notably, the report demonstrated van Veen's approach to integratingempirical data withpredictive modelling to inform sustainable flood defence strategies.[8]
Van Veen published a book in English on the history of Dutch hydraulic engineering, titled Dredge, Drain, Reclaim: The Art of a Nation.[9] In later editions, van Veen added a chapter under the pseudonym "Dr.Cassandra", using this alias to issue warnings about the pressing flood risks faced by the Netherlands. His final advisory report, dated 29 January 1953, included a comprehensive study of these risks and a detailed plan to mitigate them by closing specific estuaries.
Just days later, the Netherlands was struck by the devastatingNorth Sea flood of 1 February 1953, the worst storm surge in the country's history. In the aftermath of the disaster, a State Commission was established on 18 February 1953, with Johan van Veen appointed as its Secretary.[10]
By May 1953, the commission released its first interim report, urgently recommending theclosure of the Hollandse IJssel with a storm surge barrier and the implementation of van Veen’s plan to close the estuaries, which later became the basis for the Delta Works. This ambitious programme of flood defences was eventually realised. The commission's final report was published in 1960, a year after Van Veen’s death. As a result, van Veen is remembered as the "Father of the Delta Plan" in the Netherlands and as the "Master of the Floods" in England.[11][12]
In the years after 1953, van Veen continued to be deeply engaged in hydraulic engineering advocacy. He argued that expanding Rotterdam’s harbour atPernis andRozenburg would require deepening waterways, raising riverine high-water levels and worseningsalt intrusion. As an alternative, van Veen urged the construction of an offshore scheme on the coastal sandbanks (which would later be realised as theMaasvlakte). However political pushback, including from the mayor of Rotterdam, meant that his advice was not acted upon during his lifetime.[13]
Johan van Veen has a number of inventions to his name. Notable is theVan Veen Grab Sampler, a device to take (disturbed) bed samples from the seabed (around 1930).[14] He is also the inventor of thepneumatic barrier to prevent salt intrusion (around 1940).[15] In 1930, he proved theanalogy between electricity and water flow. From this principle he developed ananalog computer to calculate tidal flow (electric analogon).[16] In the period 1944-1956 it had become operational. Later on this machine was updated and became the practical computer to calculate tidal flow and water levels in the Dutch Delta to predict the effect of closure works, theDelta Works. This analog computer now bears the nameDeltar.[17]
On May 5, 1927, van Veen married Hendrika ("Henny") Aalfs during his stay in Suriname. They had three children. Unfortunately, their marriage was not very happy.Although he came from aDutch Reformed Church family, he converted toChristian Science until 1937, following his sister Anna, who lived in the United States.[18]
Van Veen suffered from a number of heart attacks, the first one in 1937 and later in 1948 a heavy one after his "four-island-plan" was rejected. In 1959 he had his last, fatal attack in the train when on his way to a meeting regarding his plan of a new harbour nearDelfzijl, theEemshaven.[19]
In 2020, theStichting Blauwe Lijn organisation unveiled a statue of van Veen inCapelle aan den IJssel.[20][21] The central square in van Veen's birthplace of Uithuizermeeden is named for him, and a bust of him was erected there in 1979.[22] The characterJoost van Ven in the debut novel1953 byRik Launspach was inspired by van Veen, with the novel subsequently being adapted into the 2009 filmThe Storm.[23][24][25]
Van Veen was recognised with a number of awards, both during his lifetime and posthumously, including:
Many of van Veen's publications can be viewed at theVan Veen-Stroband Archive Netherlands National Archives. A list of all his publications (mainly in Dutch) is available at the Tresor ofDutch Hydraulic Engineering.
| Date of Publication | Original Language Title | English Translation | Brief Description | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1929 | Nota betreffende de noodzakelijkheid van een systematisch onderzoek van de Westerschelde | Note on the Necessity of Systematic Research on the Western Scheldt | Emphasizes the importance of systematic research for understanding and managing theWestern Scheldt. | Nota betreffende de noodzakelijkheid van een systematisch onderzoek van de Westerschelde [Note on the Necessity of Systematic Research on the Western Scheldt](PDF) (in Dutch). 1929. |
| 1930 | De Fivel en hare verzanding | The Fivel and Its Silting | Investigates the silting of the Fivel River, based on notes by P.M. Bos. | De Fivel en hare verzanding [The Fivel and Its Silting] (in Dutch). Tijdschrift KNAG, Deel 47, Afl. 4/5. 1930. |
| 1931 | Verslag van waarnemingen in het Hellegat | Report of Observations in the Hellegat | Details studies and observations in the Hellegat, including storm surge effects. | Verslag van waarnemingen in het Hellegat, inclusief studie naar effect stormvloeden [Report of Observations in the Hellegat](PDF) (in Dutch). 1931. |
| 1933 | Onderzoek naar zandtransport in rivieren | Research on Sand Transport in Rivers | Explores sediment transport in rivers and its implications for hydraulic engineering. | "Onderzoek naar zandtransport in rivieren" [Research on Sand Transport in Rivers].De Ingenieur (in Dutch).48 (27). 1933-07-07. |
| 1935 | Nota betreffende eene getijberekening voor den verbeterden Hollandsche IJssel | Note Regarding a Tidal Calculation for the Improved Hollandsche IJssel | Discusses tidal calculations for flood defense improvements. | Nota betreffende eene getijberekening voor den verbeterden Hollandsche IJssel [Note Regarding a Tidal Calculation for the Improved Hollandsche IJssel] (in Dutch). RWS Benedenrivieren. 1935. |
| 1936 | Onderzoekingen in de Hoofden in verband met de gesteldheid der Nederlandsche kust | Investigations in the Hoofden Related to the Condition of the Dutch Coast | Examines the morphology of the Dutch coast; based on van Veen’s dissertation. | Van Veen, J. (1936).Onderzoekingen in de Hoofden in verband met de gesteldheid der Nederlandsche kust [Investigations in the Hoofden Related to the Condition of the Dutch Coast] (in Dutch). RWS Benedenrivieren. |
| 1936 | Beoordeling van nota Wemelsfelder | Assessment of Wemelsfelder's Note | EvaluatesPieter Jacobus Wemelsfelder's research on horizontal water movements. | Beoordeling van nota Wemelsfelder [Assessment of Wemelsfelder's Note](PDF) (in Dutch). RWS Benedenrivieren. 1936. |
| 1937 | Waarnemingen omtrent de snelheidsverdeling in een verticaal | Observations on the Speed Distribution in a Vertical | Examines the distribution of water current speeds in vertical sections. | Van Veen, J. (1937).Waarnemingen omtrent de snelheidsverdeling in een verticaal [Observations on the Speed Distribution in a Vertical] (in Dutch). RWS Benedenrivieren. |
| 1937 | Nota betreffende de afdamming der Brielsche Maas | Note Regarding the Damming of the Brielsche Maas | Discusses plans for damming the Brielsche Maas to improve flood defences. | Nota betreffende de afdamming der Brielsche Maas [Note Regarding the Damming of the Brielsche Maas] (in Dutch). RWS Benedenrivieren. 1937. |
| 1938 | Te verwachten stormvloedstanden op de benedenrivieren | Expected Storm Surge Levels on the Lower Rivers | Analyzes factors influencing storm surges, emphasizing the dangers to the Dutch delta region. | Te verwachten stormvloedstanden op de benedenrivieren : eerste voorlopige becijfering [Expected Storm Surge Levels on the Lower Rivers] (in Dutch). RWS Benedenrivieren. 1938. |
| 1939 | Nota betreffende de verdeling van het Rijnwater in droge tijden | Note on the Distribution of Rhine Water During Droughts | Studies water distribution during periods of low river discharge. | Van Veen, J. (1939).Nota betreffende de verdeling van het Rijnwater in droge tijden [Note on the Distribution of Rhine Water During Droughts] (in Dutch). RWS Benedenrivieren. |
| 1939 | Korte opmerkingen over de kritiek van Prof. Thijsse op het voorlopig rapport van de Stormvloed-commissie | Brief Remarks on Professor Thijsse's Criticism of the Preliminary Report of the Storm Surge Committee | Responds toJo Thijsse's critique of flood defence proposals. | Van Veen, J. (1939).Korte opmerkingen over de kritiek van Prof. Thijsse op het voorlopig rapport van de Stormvloed-commissie [Brief Remarks on Professor Thijsse's Criticism] (in Dutch). RWS Benedenrivieren. |
| 1940 | Voorlopig rapport van de Commissie inzake stormvloeden op de benedenrivieren | Preliminary Report by the Commission on Storm Surges in the Lower Rivers | Addresses deficiencies in dikes and proposes innovative flood defense strategies. | Heyst, D. A.; Kempees, A. E.; Rulkens, J. W.; Schlingemann, F. L.; Schönfeld, J. F.; Versteeg, H.; Van Veen, J. (1940).Voorlopig rapport van de Commissie inzake stormvloeden op de benedenrivieren [Preliminary Report by the Commission on Storm Surges in the Lower Rivers] (in Dutch). RWS Benedenrivieren. |
| 1942 | Voorlopige Nota betreffende Verlandingsmogelijkheden in de Zuidwestelijke en Noordelijke Wateren van Nederland | Preliminary Note on Land Reclamation Possibilities in the Southwestern and Northern Waters of the Netherlands | Proposes natural reclamation methods for coastal areas. | Van Veen, J. (1942).Voorlopige Nota betreffende Verlandingsmogelijkheden in de Zuidwestelijke en Noordelijke Wateren van Nederland [Preliminary Note on Land Reclamation Possibilities] (in Dutch). RWS Benedenrivieren. |
| 1944 | Schelderegiem en Schelderegie | The Regime and Management of the Scheldt | Examines the hydraulic and economic aspects of theScheldt River. | Schelderegiem en Schelderegie [The Regime and Management of the Scheldt](PDF) (in Dutch). RWS Benedenrivieren. 1944. |
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