3 Rivers Point

A confluence of three rivers is rather exceptional. But here you have one. It is the place where the Rupel begins. The Rupel does not have a true source: it arises from the confluence of the Nete and the Dijle in Rumst.

But why is that so exceptional? Why is no different name given to the Maas after its confluence with the Samber? Or to the Leie and Schelde... And why here is it different? Could there be a geographical rule for this?

Apparently, there are no hard hydrological rules, rather the result of historical naming in communities along the water.

However, you can see tendencies:

Often the largest / longest / most important river retains its name in the lower course.

New names (like Rupel) are exceptions and mainly occur where the lower course has gained a distinctly own character and historical-economic significance (local shipping axis, separate valley, different toponym pattern).

An example outside Rumst is the confluence of three rivers at Dordrecht, where the Beneden-Merwede, Noord, and Oude Maas come together; there, it is also explicitly mentioned and experienced as a special junction.

Pascal Brackman