WaveSave Portable Dam Protects Against Floods

WaveSave, a company founded in 2017 and headquartered in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, has developed a portable rubber dam named SlamDam to address the escalating risks of flooding driven by global warming and rising sea levels. This innovative flood barrier provides a rapid-response tool for individuals and communities facing imminent flood threats, offering protection for property and the potential to store freshwater for later use. The urgency for such solutions is underscored by the fact that one in five people globally are at high risk of serious floods, many residing in communities lacking adequate protection and unable to afford evacuation or relocation. Climate change is exacerbating these vulnerabilities through extreme weather events and sea-level rise.

The SlamDam, initially developed in the Netherlands in 2013, is designed for quick and easy deployment. Users can unfurl the dam along a riverbank or shoreline and then inflate it by pumping water into it, causing it to swell into a protective barrier up to 1.3 meters high. This allows it to shield nearby structures and land from rising waters. Regional water authorities in the Netherlands have been testing and utilizing the SlamDam since its inception. WaveSave has since expanded its reach, successfully deploying the product in at least a dozen countries across Africa and Southeast Asia, demonstrating its effectiveness in diverse geographical contexts.

WaveSave is currently showcasing its SlamDam product on New York City's Governors Island as part of an urban climate adaptation competition, where it is one of seven winning innovations. The demonstration site is particularly relevant, experiencing frequent inundation from high tides and waves generated by passing ferries. This initiative highlights the product's applicability in urban environments facing significant water-related challenges. Projections indicate a substantial increase in flood exposure, with an estimated 2 billion people facing floods by 2100, a rise of 300 million from 2020 figures, largely attributed to both climate change and population growth. The SlamDam is engineered to protect vital assets such as farmland and infrastructure from these growing threats, contributing to enhanced resilience in vulnerable areas.