People stand on large black tubes with hoses in a grassy field near a windmill. Some appear to be walking, and others are observing.

Training on Rapid Flood Response for Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier (HHNK)

The Netherlands

Project Overview

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

Project impact

  • Training 20+ staff in emergency response
  • Demonstration of WaveDam software
  • Established replicable training protocol
  • Enhanced crisis management capabilities
  • Demonstrated effectiveness of WaveDam

Gallery

Four people in yellow vests sit at a table with laptops and papers in a modern office setting, with a blank flip chart in the background.

Workers set up equipment near a canal and windmills in a grassy area. Some are wearing orange safety vests, and there are metal sheets and a hose on the ground.

People standing on a grassy field with two distant windmills. Gray boxes and large hoses are scattered around the area. Blue sky with clouds in the background.

A person in boots adjusts an orange barrel in a grassy field with puddles. Windmill and more people in the background.

Construction site with workers in safety vests, machinery, and water drainage. One person runs along a grassy path beside a small water channel under a blue sky.

People in safety gear work with large hoses near a water-filled inflatable barrier in a grassy area with windmills in the background.

Workers in high-visibility clothing install a barrier in a grassy field near a narrow waterway, with vehicles and equipment nearby under a partly cloudy sky.

People stand on large black tubes with hoses in a grassy field near a windmill. Some appear to be walking, and others are observing.

Construction workers in orange vests stand by large black tubes and machinery near a grassy waterlogged area. Hoses and earth-moving equipment are visible under a cloudy sky.

People observe water being released from a platform into a grassy area, with a van nearby under a cloudy sky.

Workers in safety vests handle equipment near a construction site with heavy machinery and water surrounded by inflatable barriers, under a partly cloudy sky.

Key highlights

WaveDam is a mobile flood barrier designed to provide rapid and effective flood protection.
Unlike traditional flood defenses, WaveDam can be deployed quickly.

Rapid deployment

Deployed 200 m of SLAMDAM in less than 2 hours to prevent glacier-melt flooding.

Community training

Local teams were trained in deploying and managing SLAMDAM and the early warning system.

Early warning system

Enhanced early flood warning with integrated monitoring and communication tools.

Resilience building

Reduced flood damage to homes and protected 250 hectares of farmland.

Early warning system

Enhanced early flood warning with integrated monitoring and communication tools.

Sustainable impact

Increased long-term flood resilience through community empowerment and scalable technology

Testimonials

What our clients say

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..

Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman
Hashmi

Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan

SLAMDAM has transformed our community’s resilience to floods. With the technology and training, we now feel empowered to protect our homes and livelihoods.

Naveed Alam

Community Leader Passu
Community

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..

Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman
Hashmi

Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..

Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman
Hashmi

Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan

SLAMDAM has transformed our community’s resilience to floods. With the technology and training, we now feel empowered to protect our homes and livelihoods.

Naveed Alam

Community Leader Passu
Community

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..

Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman
Hashmi

Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..

Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman
Hashmi

Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan

SLAMDAM has transformed our community’s resilience to floods. With the technology and training, we now feel empowered to protect our homes and livelihoods.

Naveed Alam

Community Leader Passu
Community

SLAMDAM has transformed our community’s resilience to floods. With the technology and training, we now feel empowered to protect our homes and livelihoods.

Naveed Alam

Community Leader Passu
Community

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..

Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman
Hashmi

Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..

Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman
Hashmi

Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan

Want to learn more about this project or how WaveSave can bring flood protection to your community?.

Contact us now
A group of people in colorful traditional attire poses outdoors with a large drum decorated with a flag pattern.

Sub-Saharan Climate Resilience Initiative: Empowering Nations with WaveDam Flood Defense Technology

Burundi

Project Overview

Background & Goal

Climate change is increasingly affecting Sub-Saharan Africa through extreme weather events. Flooding and drought disproportionately impact vulnerable communities, particularly those dependent on agriculture for livelihoods. Traditional water control methods have proven insufficient, disrupting economies and threatening food security across the region. Communities needed innovative, adaptable solutions to enhance climate resilience and protect critical infrastructure.

 

The goal was to empower government officials from seven Sub-Saharan African countries with the knowledge, skills, and resources to implement WaveDam mobile flood barrier, enhancing climate resilience against flooding and drought while protecting agricultural lands and community assets.

Solution

WaveSave deployed a comprehensive knowledge exchange program centered around our flagship WaveDam mobile flood barrier system, providing an integrated end-to-end solution featuring:

 

  • Training on WaveDam deployment
  • Technical workshops monitoring systems
  • Trainings on tools for decision support
  • Training on early warning systems
  • Customization strategies for flood control
  • Gender-inclusive approaches to resilience

Clients and Donors

This initiative was funded and organized through Climate Action Africa, supporting the project’s alignment with national adaptation priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 6, and 13

.

Location

Location: Mpanda Commune, Bubanza Province, Burundi

Timeline: 2023

Project impact

  • 21 high-ranking government officials from 7 nations (Central African Republic, Tanzania, Guinea, Chad, Malawi, Burundi, and the Netherlands) received specialized training
  • Empowered decision-makers to develop actionable flood and drought management policies and projects
  • Enhanced regional capacity for drought management and flood defense
  • Promoted women’s participation in climate resilience planning with substantial female representation among participants
  • Established sustainable South-South cooperation frameworks for ongoing knowledge sharing
  • Created a foundation for improved agricultural productivity, food security, and economic stability

Gallery

A man in a suit speaks into a microphone at a meeting. Other attendees sit at tables with laptops and papers. Blue and white tablecloths are visible.

Four people sitting at a table with laptops, notebooks, and water bottles. The woman in the foreground is writing.

A person with short, white hair holds a microphone, speaking in front of a screen displaying a presentation titled "Les Piliers du Projet.

Three people are seated at a table with laptops, focusing intently. Bottles of water are placed in front of them.

A man in a suit speaks into a microphone in a conference room with a portrait on the wall and a table with water bottles.

Two people sitting at a table with laptops, surrounded by bottled water. The woman is clapping, and the man is looking to the side. Two people are seen in the background.

People seated at tables with blue tablecloths, listening to a presentation. Water bottles and notebooks are on the tables. A projector screen displays a slide.

A group of people gathered outdoors, some wearing casual clothing and others in uniforms. Several are holding notebooks or electronic devices. Trees and grassy landscape visible in the background.

A group of people, including a person in a white shirt and blue cap, stand outdoors engaging in conversation. One person wears a green patterned dress. Trees and grass are visible in the background.

A group of people sitting and standing in an outdoor covered area, engaged in conversation. Some are wearing casual clothing and hats. Background includes brick columns and greenery.

A large group of people, including men and women, gather outdoors on grass under a cloudy sky, some holding red umbrellas.

A person walks on a sandbag barrier beside a waterlogged area in a grassy, rural setting with scattered trees and buildings in the background.

Three people walk along a dirt path near a line of stacked sandbags with green grass and trees in the background.

Two boys walk on a narrow path made of sandbags beside a flooded area, with trees and buildings in the background.

Three people standing on rocks near a muddy river surrounded by tall grass and cloudy sky.

A group of people stand outdoors, many wearing white shirts, beside large rolled objects, with cloudy skies in the background.

A group of people stands beside large black plastic bags in a grassy field, with palm trees and a cloudy sky in the background.

A group of people stand around a large, cylindrical black bag outdoors in a grassy area, discussing its effectiveness as a mobile flood barrier. Hills are visible in the background, adding to the serene yet purposeful setting.

A group of people in white shirts stand in a line outdoors on a cloudy day, with greenery and distant hills in the background.

Group of people inspecting large, inflated black bags in an outdoor setting with trees in the background.

A group of people standing outside, smiling and raising their hands, with a yellow building in the background. Some wear colorful clothing and headscarves.

Group of people in red and white attire performing a traditional dance with large drums in an outdoor setting.

A group of people in colorful traditional attire poses outdoors with a large drum decorated with a flag pattern.

A group of people in traditional and casual attire gather outdoors, some holding cultural items, with trees in the background.

Two men stand outdoors, one holding an umbrella over the other who is reading from a paper. A group of people is gathered in the background, near a tree and building.

A person stands outdoors on a dirt ground, speaking to a group. They are wearing a long floral dress. A crowd is gathered around, with palm trees and buildings in the background.

A group of people outside, some raising their hands. They stand on a dirt ground with trees and a building in the background. The scene is set on a sunny day.

Three children stand in front of a rustic, dome-shaped hut made of wood and tarp, with grassy surroundings and cloudy sky.

A lush farm with staked tomato plants under a cloudy sky, surrounded by palm trees. Four people are walking along the edge of the field.

A group of people harvest and sort tomatoes in a field, with baskets and piles of tomatoes around them.

A lush field of tall corn plants with green leaves under a cloudy sky.

Key highlights

WaveDam is a mobile flood barrier designed to provide rapid and effective flood protection.
Unlike traditional flood defenses, WaveDam can be deployed quickly.

Rapid deployment

Deployed 200 m of SLAMDAM in less than 2 hours to prevent glacier-melt flooding.

Community training

Local teams were trained in deploying and managing SLAMDAM and the early warning system.

Early warning system

Enhanced early flood warning with integrated monitoring and communication tools.

Resilience building

Reduced flood damage to homes and protected 250 hectares of farmland.

Early warning system

Enhanced early flood warning with integrated monitoring and communication tools.

Sustainable impact

Increased long-term flood resilience through community empowerment and scalable technology

Testimonials

What our clients say

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..

Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman
Hashmi

Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan

SLAMDAM has transformed our community’s resilience to floods. With the technology and training, we now feel empowered to protect our homes and livelihoods.

Naveed Alam

Community Leader Passu
Community

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..

Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman
Hashmi

Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..

Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman
Hashmi

Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan

SLAMDAM has transformed our community’s resilience to floods. With the technology and training, we now feel empowered to protect our homes and livelihoods.

Naveed Alam

Community Leader Passu
Community

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..

Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman
Hashmi

Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..

Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman
Hashmi

Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan

SLAMDAM has transformed our community’s resilience to floods. With the technology and training, we now feel empowered to protect our homes and livelihoods.

Naveed Alam

Community Leader Passu
Community

SLAMDAM has transformed our community’s resilience to floods. With the technology and training, we now feel empowered to protect our homes and livelihoods.

Naveed Alam

Community Leader Passu
Community

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..

Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman
Hashmi

Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..

Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman
Hashmi

Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan

Want to learn more about this project or how WaveSave can bring flood protection to your community?.

Contact us now
A group of people stands around a large inflatable bag connected to hoses outdoors, with trees and a hill in the background, observing the innovative mobile flood barrier—an essential tool in Kenya's efforts to combat seasonal flooding challenges.

WaveSave Integrated Flood Management Solutions

Isiolo River Basin, Kenya

Project Overview

Background & Goal

The Isiolo River Basin in Kenya faces significant flood risk challenges due to its geographical location and climate conditions. As an Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) region, Isiolo Town is particularly vulnerable to flash floods, receiving water from upstream mountainous areas with steep slopes. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity and frequency in the region, with the Ewaso Ng’iro North basin projected to experience a 10.9% increase in precipitation by 2050. Additionally, rapid urbanization, inadequate drainage systems, and blocked culverts further compound the flooding issues facing this community where 65% of residents already live below the poverty line.

 

The goal was to assess and demonstrate the effectiveness of WaveDam as a mobile flood protection solution for the Isiolo River Basin and provide data-driven recommendations for strategic deployment locations and supporting warning systems.

Solution

Working in collaboration with TU Delft, we conducted a comprehensive flood risk assessment using advanced hydrodynamic modeling and benefit analysis tools. Our solution incorporated:

 

  • Deployment of WaveDam flood barriers
  • Integration Flood Early Warning System 
  • Community-based deployment protocols
  • Development water retention capabilities
  • Training for Water Resources Users Association (WRUA)

Clients and Donors

This research project was conducted in partnership with TU Delft’s Department of Civil Engineering as part of their Multidisciplinary Project. Additional partners included Nelen & Schuurmans, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, and the Water Resources Authority of Kenya

.

Location

Location: Isiolo River Basin, Isiolo County, Kenya

Timeline: 2023

Project impact

  • Identified six flood protection locations
  • Demonstrated protection potential
  • Confirmed WaveDam ranked highest among evaluated flood mitigation measures
  • Established deployment protocols
  • Provided water retention capabilities
  • Solution with dual flood/drought benefits
  • Verified community engagement

Gallery

Map of Africa showing projected climate change impacts with a color-coded scale for percentage change, indicating levels of agreement among climate models.

Map showing rainfall gauging stations in Isiolo and Timau, labeled in red. Features include rivers and roads. Inset displays the synoptic map for the district. Scale is 1:300,000.

Map of Isiolo town showing land use classification with symbols for roads, rivers, various facilities, and areas like forest, agricultural, and residential zones. Includes a legend and scale.

Map showing rainfall interception in a region. Areas are color-coded from red (0 mm/d) to blue (100,000 mm/d), with labeled locations: Isiolo, Maili Saba, Lewa, Subuiga, Ruigu, Ntugi, and Timau.

Map of Isiolo River Catchment in the Ewaso Ng'iro North River Basin, Kenya, with elevation color gradient. Includes an inset map of Kenya and streams color-coded by Strahler order.

Map of Isiolo River Catchment showing soil classification: clayey, loamy, sandy, very clayey, and other soils. Includes river streams, a scale, inset map, and data source.

Map showing SLAMDAM locations with river streams, roads, and designated areas, including airport and residential zones. Inset highlights agricultural protection area. Scale provided.

Map showing SLAMDAM locations with flood depth from 0 to 4 meters. Includes roads, rivers, land use, and a close-up inset highlighting residential protection area.

Map showing SLAMDAM locations tested with the FIS Tool, featuring isolo town, roads, streams, airports, and flood depth zones, with a legend detailing different geographic areas.

Map depicting flood impact in Isiolo area with shaded zones indicating flood depth, land use types, roads, rivers, and an inset showing the location on a larger map.

Flood map indicating water depth in Isiolo with a return period of 5 years. Includes roads, rivers, residential areas, and agricultural land.

Three maps showing infiltration area boundary, infiltration rate (in green), and infiltration capacity (in red) for Isiolo Town.

Three maps of Isiolo Airport: left shows airport boundary, middle shows infiltration rate, and right shows infiltration capacity of a retarding basin.

A narrow, muddy stream flows between grassy banks, with a stone wall on the right and scattered trees. Overcast sky above.

A dry landscape with sparse trees under a cloudy sky. Rocky ground and scattered vegetation are visible.

Rural landscape with sparse greenery, a dry riverbed, and labeled areas indicating "Residential Area" and "Agricultural Field" under a partly cloudy sky.

Dry landscape with sparse trees and a small stream. Red text labels areas as "Agricultural land" on both sides.

Two women carrying hoses walk down a rocky slope, with a group of people gathered in the background under a clear blue sky.

People standing near a large black water storage bag with a hose, in a dry, rural landscape. Some are working, others are observing.

A group of people outdoors gathered around large containers and equipment, with trees and cloudy sky in the background.

Group of people standing near a small river, observing a demonstration involving water pumps and hoses in a rural landscape with trees.

A group of people are gathered outdoors, assembling a large black sheet on the ground. They appear to be working collaboratively in a natural, dry environment with a stream nearby.

A group of people gathers around a man demonstrating equipment on the ground in an outdoor setting with trees in the background.

A group of people spread a large black tarp on the ground near a dry riverbed in a rural setting, surrounded by trees and bushes.

A group of people, including children, observe a person in a blue shirt working with a large hose outdoors in a rural setting.

A group of people stand around an agricultural setup with pipes and equipment outdoors in a rural area. Trees and hills are in the background.

People setting up an inflatable barrier in a dry, rural landscape, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.

A diverse group of people standing together outdoors on a dirt ground, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.

Key highlights

WaveDam is a mobile flood barrier designed to provide rapid and effective flood protection.
Unlike traditional flood defenses, WaveDam can be deployed quickly.

Rapid deployment

Deployed 200 m of SLAMDAM in less than 2 hours to prevent glacier-melt flooding.

Community training

Local teams were trained in deploying and managing SLAMDAM and the early warning system.

Early warning system

Enhanced early flood warning with integrated monitoring and communication tools.

Resilience building

Reduced flood damage to homes and protected 250 hectares of farmland.

Early warning system

Enhanced early flood warning with integrated monitoring and communication tools.

Sustainable impact

Increased long-term flood resilience through community empowerment and scalable technology

Testimonials

What our clients say

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..

Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman
Hashmi

Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan

SLAMDAM has transformed our community’s resilience to floods. With the technology and training, we now feel empowered to protect our homes and livelihoods.

Naveed Alam

Community Leader Passu
Community

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..