<P> The dikes were maintained by the individuals who benefited from their existence, every farmer having been designated part of the dike to maintain, with a three - yearly viewing by the water board directors . The old rule "Whom the water hurts, he the water stops" (Wie het water deert, die het water keert) meant that those living at the dike had to pay and care for it . This led to haphazard maintenance and it is believed that many floods would not have happened or would not have been as severe if the dikes had been in better condition . Those living further inland often refused to pay or help in the upkeep of the dikes though they were just as much affected by floods, while those living at the dike itself could go bankrupt from having to repair a breached dike . </P> <P> Rijkswaterstaat (Directorate General for Public Works and Water Management) was set up in 1798 under French rule to put water control in the Netherlands under a central government . Local waterboards however were too attached to their autonomy and for most of the time Rijkswaterstaat worked alongside the local waterboards . Rijkswaterstaat has been responsible for many major water control structures and was later and still is also involved in building railroads and highways . </P> <P> Water boards may try new experiments like the sand engine off the coast of North Holland . </P> <P> Over the years there have been many storm surges and floods in the Netherlands . Some deserve special mention as they particularly have changed the contours of the Netherlands . </P>

First flood protection measures taken by dutch farmers