Watchtower Zuunvallei and Volsembroek

One of the most striking projects in the aftermath of the historic winter flood of 14 November 2010 (where Sint-Pieters-Leeuw was one of the most affected municipalities) has undoubtedly been realized at this location and from the watchtower you can already admire a few things.

By building a cross dike with a fairly impressive water weir at Volsembroek, the Zuun valley can be flooded more than 2 m upstream in the event of imminent flooding in the downstream residential areas. In addition, a new meandering bed was created for the Zuunbeek. A winding streambed propels and slows down the flow, but also has many more length meters (and therefore contains much more water). In most places, the canalized bed remains as a 'flood channel' (so 2 streams remain at very high tide). Hermeandering is ecologically a prerequisite for real restoration of the stream ecosystem.

The works have resulted in a 'denudation' of this entire zone, resulting in a return of wet nature: in winter the meadows and marshes are largely flooded, in the summer months the site is extensively grazed by Scottish highland cattle. Both migratory and breeding birds find their way to this biodiversity paradise.

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