Sand dunes

Sand dunes protect the hinterland against being flooded and they may at the same time serve as sand reservoirs.

Dunes are formed naturally because of sand drift. The direction and strength of the wind, as well as the accessibility of mobile sand, are vital factors for the size and predominance of the dunes. Sand-drift-control measures, such as protective planting or fascines, encourage the formation and build up of sand dunes.

If the processes needs to be accelerated, artificial dunes can be established using machinery to add the sand. Unnaturally high sand dunes should be avoided, because the dunes will then be weaker and less resilient to storms than broad-structured sand dunes. If an area is prone to frequent flooding, establishing a dike could be a better solution.