Background & Goal

In early 2024, Kenya’s iconic Masai Mara region experienced unprecedented flooding that severely impacted the area’s ecosystem and luxury safari accommodations. The prestigious JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge faced significant operational challenges as rising floodwaters from nearby rivers rendered guest tents inaccessible and threatened valuable infrastructure. Initial flood control measures including gabion installations provided basic protection, but comprehensive flood defense required an integrated approach to ensure complete resilience against future flood events.

This project aims to implement a comprehensive flood protection system at JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge by integrating WaveSave’s advanced WaveDam mobile flood barriers with existing gabion structures, creating a robust defense against seasonal flooding while preserving the property’s natural aesthetic and ensuring uninterrupted guest experiences.

Solution

Following a thorough hydrological assessment conducted by WaveSave’s expert team, we identified critical vulnerability points around the property, particularly near residential unit #22 where existing gabion structures required reinforcement.

Our integrated flood management solution included:

• Installation of ~100 meters of WaveDam
• Integrated with gabion structures
• Creation of a flood defense system
• Maintaining the resort’s natural aesthetics
• Patented reinforced EPDM construction 
• Deployment of a rapid-installation system

Clients and Donors

JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, part of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio.

Location

Location: JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, situated along the Talek River in Kenya’s world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve.

Timeline: 2025

Background & Goal

Burundi’s Imbo Basin faces increasing climate vulnerability, with provinces like Cibitoke and Bubanza, Women bear primary responsibility for household resource management while facing restricted access to land ownership, financial services, and decision-making processes. During climate-related disasters, women experience heightened vulnerability as they manage displacement, food security, and caregiving responsibilities, often with limited support networks and resources.

This project aims to enhance climate resilience in Burundi through a gender-responsive approach that integrates innovative flood and drought management technologies while addressing socio-economic disparities. By implementing climate adaptation solutions that consider gender-specific needs, the project seeks to build more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable community resilience.

Solution

WaveSave implemented an integrated approach combining technological innovation with gender-responsive strategies:

• Gender-Sensitive Early Warning Systems
• Inclusive Flood Control Infrastructure
• Water Harvesting Integration
• Participatory Capacity Building
• Economic Empowerment Initiatives
• Inclusive Governance Structures

Clients and Donors

Climate Action Africa (CAA) has funded the gender analysis and action plan project.

Location

Location: Burundi’s Imbo Basin: Cibitoke, Bubanza, Bujumbura Rural, and Mairie.

Timeline: 2024

Background & Goal

The Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier (HHNK) is responsible for water management in a region highly vulnerable to flooding and waterlogging. With climate change increasing the risk of extreme weather events, HHNK needed an innovative and efficient solution to enhance its flood response capacity and train its personnel in the rapid deployment of mobile flood barriers.

The objective of this project was to train HHNK personnel in the deployment of WaveDam, WaveSave’s modular mobile flood barrier. This practical exercise focused on capacity building and technical knowledge transfer, ensuring that HHNK staff could efficiently deploy the barrier in case of an emergency.

Solution

WaveSave delivered a comprehensive training program at the Living Lab HedwigeProsperPolder testing facility, where HHNK staff received hands-on experience with our integrated flood resilience solution:

• Training on deployment of WaveDam
• Lessons on features of WaveDam
• Practical exercises in flood scenarios
• Training on AI-powered software tools and analytics are used to support WaveDam

Clients and Donors

Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier (HHNK), a Dutch regional water authority responsible for water management, flood protection, and water quality in the northern part of North Holland

Location

Location: At a test site in North Holland

Timeline: 2023