DID YOU KNOW? ~ New Dender estuary: Nieuwe Tijsluis

Dendermonde not only owes its origin and its name to the confluence of Dender and Scheldt; The unique location on both rivers also played an important role in the flourishing of the city. For centuries Dendermonde was a real water city with ports, skippers, fishermen and painders (loaders and unloaders of ships).

In 1967 it was decided to straighten part of the Dender route, so that the Dender would no longer flow into the Scheldt in the city centre.

The Dender has been adapted here for ships up to 1,250 tons and the total length of the lock complex is approximately 500 meters. The old Dender estuary in the city was filled in.

However, its strategic location on the water not only brought prosperity, but also ensured that Dendermonde was often the battleground in military conflicts throughout history. Another disadvantage of the location on the Scheldt and Dender was the susceptibility to flooding. In order to meet this problem and to facilitate the passage of shipping, it was decided in 1967 to straighten part of the Dender route, so that the Dender would no longer flow into the Scheldt in the city centre.

In 1978 a new Dender estuary with weir and tide lock with lift doors was realized in the Sint-Onolfspolder. The Dender has been adapted here for ships up to 1,250 tons and the total length of the lock complex is approximately 500 meters. The old Dender estuary in the city centre was filled in.

The towpaths along Dender and Scheldt are frequently used by walkers and cyclists. Thanks to an easy riverbank connection at the Tijsluis, holidaymakers can continue their journey along the water in a smooth way.

LIFE SPARC