The former Reevaart

At this point is the split between the 'old' Vecht and the beginning of the Reevaart. This canal was dug in 1628 under the direction of Gerard van Reede, craftsman of Nederhorst. It was a cut-off of a sharp bend in the Vecht to shorten the travel time on the towpath. Nederhorst was divided in two by the canal. The city of Utrecht built a bridge to connect the two parts. The maintenance was financed by the revenues from tolls. There was a lively sailing and trade traffic, which made the village fairly prosperous. Due to the construction of the Merwede Canal, now Amsterdam-Rhine Canal, in 1892, the Reevaart became of less importance for transport by water. Toll revenues for the maintenance of the canal and bridge fell sharply. Finally, in 1969, most of the Reevaart was filled in and the bridge and bridge keeper's house were demolished. In the eighties of the last century, the northern part was filled in. The Dammerweg (the orange road on the map) now runs here.

ZichtopdeVechtstreek