In the extremely hot summer of 2003 the embankment in a village called Wilnis collapsed. The main reason of the collapse was dryness of soil in the embankment. The Wilnis embankment mainly consisted of peat. The extreme weight reduction of the peat because of dryness had a significant negative effect on the embankment stability.

Because of this accident Stowa, the research centre of the collaborating Water Boards, started a study on the effects of hot summers on the embankments in Holland. At first a decision tree has been developed. This decision tree helps the supervisor of the embankment to collect and sort out the most relevant information, to take rational decisions regarding inspection, monitoring or appropriate measures during, or shortly after, periods of extreme dry weather.

Next to the decision tree, several reference profiles of embankments were analyzed on their sensitivity to extreme dry weather.

STOWA, TNO-NITG, Fugro