BTW, the Dutch built a dike at the end of the Zuider Zee between WWI and
WWII, I believe. Over the years, the water in the Zuider Zee became
more and more brackish but even then it took some time to get rid of the
salt. I was thinking more about the Wadden Zee, along the North Coast.
This area is open to the North Sea and is still salty. And, of course,
any land below sea level needs pumps to keep it dry. Someone who is more
familiar with that part of the world than I am, told me that the Dutch
have to control the water level very carefully: if the water level is
too high, there is flooding; if it is too low, the land dries out and
causes other problems.
Of course, this has absolutely nothing to do with the ongoing debate
between you and Dick which I find fascinating and thought provoking.
Thanks for sharing the debate with us.
Chuck Vandergraaf
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