Heesseltsche Floodplains

Rijkswaterstaat has redesigned the Heesseltsche Uiterwaarden to improve water safety.
De Waal is increasingly confronted with high water levels. The river receives more rain and meltwater, while there is little space between the dikes. This increases the risk of flooding. Rijkswaterstaat has realized a large secondary channel and two smaller channels in the Heesseltsche Uiterwaarden. Part of the floodplain has also been lowered. As a result of these measures, the water level drops by at least 5.5 centimetres at high tide.

The Heesseltsche Uiterwaarden are approximately 385 ha in total. More than 200 ha of the Heesseltsche Uiterwaarden is intended as dynamic river nature: gullies, strangen, swamp, ewe forest, rough and grasslands. Here comes year-round grazing with cattle and horses. Clean and healthy water makes plants and animals that live in and around the river feel more at home. For example, the new gullies are perfect nurseries for fish, which will improve fish stocks in the Waal.

In this new nature, people can stroll and enjoy to their heart's content. During your walk you will probably encounter cows. They don't just walk there. They keep the plants and grass short. It is important that the area is not overgrown at high tide. So those cows are actually natural mowers. The grazing area is freely accessible to hikers. The signs at the entrances indicate the 'house rules' that apply in the area. One of these rules is that dogs are only welcome on a leash. This is to prevent disruption and unsafe situations with the cattle and game present.

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