Stekense Vaart and Francis Coppensbrug

This canal, dug in 1315, connects the Moervaart with Stekene. In the past, the canal ran as far as Hulst and had an important economic function, such as the transport of peat and later also flax, tiles, roof tiles and bricks that were transported by barges pulled by horses along the towpath.

In 1950, the Stekense Vaart was declared unnavigable due to the high dredging costs. Since 1964, the water level of the Stekense Vaart and the Moervaart has also been considerably higher than the level of the lower valley area. A natural run-off of the water is no longer possible, so pumping stations (see photo: the pumping station of Sinaai) are necessary for the drainage of the surrounding lakes.

Landelijke Gilden fiets-, wandel- en autoroutes