In this work, practical recommendations are given for sound dike design. Particular emphasis is placed on design, management and maintenance. Coverage includes the assessment of soil properties and different types of loadings on a dike.  These guidelines are primarily aimed at engineers who are directly involved in the design of river dike improvements. In this book practical recommendations are given with which a sound design of a dike can be obtained. Instructions on design, management and maintenance are an important part of these guidelines. In this respect, the assessment of the soil properties is treated including the required investigations for this. The different types of loadings on a dike are also dealt with. Also a number of methods by means of which the loading and the strength are weighed against each other are presented in these guidelines. In the last chapter incalculable aspects are given that are of importance for the construction of flood defences.