Krammer locks - Bruinisse

Built between 1976 and 1987, the Philips dam separates the fresh Volkerak-Zoommeer from the saline Oosterschelde. The dam contains four locks: the Krammer Locks, named after the lake. The locks allow ships to pass easily. There are two large locks for commercial shipping and two smaller ones for recreational shipping. Each year, they open as many as 13,000 times. Thanks to the dam, the water in the Volkerak-Zoommeer stays fresh, which is important for agriculture in the area.

The construction of the Philips Dam and Krammer Locks was complicated. Different disciplines, such as water management, shipping and the environment, had to come together in one plan. The dam also helps restore the tide in the Eastern Scheldt, which is better for plants and animals. A special part of the construction was sealing the dam with sand in deep water, something that had never been done before.