At the dike at Ballumerbocht, between Nes and Ballum, stands a powerful bronze statue: the Dike Guards.
Two rescue workers, connected by a rope, look out over the Wadden Sea. The work was created by sculptor Frans Ram and placed in 1991, on the occasion of the completion of the last section of dike on Ameland to be raised to delta level*.
The statue symbolises vigilance, cooperation and the eternal battle against water. The plaque below the statue reads:
Al jaagt de storm de golven
soms angstig hoog,
De dijkwacht is paraat
met wakend oog.
Waterschap
De Amelander Grieën
In other words, translated into English:
Although the storm chases the waves
sometimes frighteningly high,
The dike watch is ready
with watchful eye.
Waterboard
The Amelander Grieën
The dike along the south side of Ameland protects the island from the Wadden Sea water. During storms and extremely high water, especially in the storm season from October to March, it is the dike watchman who is on standby. The statue commemorates this important work – past and present – and marks a milestone in the history of Ameland's coastal defence.
Frans Ram, the artist behind this work, has created several sculptures on Ameland. His sculptures, including the horses at the town hall in Ballum and Cardinal de Jong in Nes, are recognisable for their power and connection to the island.
Smitteweg / Ballumerbocht
9162 EC Ballum
The Dyke Watchers - VVV Ameland
The Dyke Watchers - VVV Ameland
The Dyke Watchers - VVV Ameland
The Dyke Watchers - VVV Ameland
The Dyke Watchers - VVV Ameland
The Dyke Watchers - VVV Ameland
The Dyke Watchers - VVV Ameland
The Dyke Watchers - VVV Ameland
The Dyke Watchers - VVV Ameland
The Delta height is the safety level to which dykes in the Netherlands have been reinforced since the 1953 flood disaster, to make them more resilient against high water levels and storm surges. On Ameland, this means a height of approximately 8 metres above Amsterdam Ordnance Datum (NAP) – enough to protect the island from the force of the sea.
