Window brook valley

The Raambeek is a watercourse that springs from Begijnendijk and flows through Baal, Tremelo, Grootlo, Schriek, Keerbergen, Rijmenam, Bonheiden, and Muizen before flowing into the Dijle in Mechelen. Along the way, the stream is known by various names, such as Grote Beek, Meerloop, Raambeek (in the area of Keerbergen and Tremelo), Zwartwaterbeek (in Rijmenam), Boeimeerbeek (in Bonheiden), and finally Vrouwvliet (in Mechelen). In total, the stream is about 28 kilometers long.
The Raambeek flows through the northern territory of Keerbergen. Geographically and landscape-wise, the valley area of the Raambeek is part of the ‘Land van Heist’, which is itself a sub-area of the ‘Zuiderkempen’. The valley is an agricultural area fragmented by ribbon development. In the Raambeek valley, the ribbon development is the cause of the urbanization process. It cuts the space into different sections. Nevertheless, some relatively large areas have remained free from urbanization. These open space areas are landscape-wise valuable due to the variety in land use, the small-scale nature of agriculture, and the rows of trees. More and more agricultural lands and meadows have since the last decades been repurposed as horse pastures. In a rare untouched plot, rough herbs seize their chance and thereby provide a habitat for insects, birds, and small mammals. These vegetations in the sterile cultivated land have great value as a ‘steppingstone’. Additionally, tree rows, hedgerows (with black alder, ash, hazel), and pollarded willows are interesting natural values. In spring, you can admire wood anemones, lesser celandine, and marsh marigolds.

The Raambeek is a typical lowland stream. The rich stream life from the 1950s has disappeared. Unfortunately, we are still waiting for better water quality of the beautifully meandering Raambeek in some places. Here and there, aquatic plants (including arrowhead) and aquatic life are recovering. The fish life is limited to a few perch.

Bart Denayer