Molenbeek walk

Along the Watermolenbeek, between Roosendaal and Nispen, lies the nature reserve Dal van de Molenbeek, which transitions into the Watermolenbeekpark in Roosendaal. The creek has been restored along this stretch and now meanders again.

The creek springs near Kalmthout and then flows east of Wildert. The name here is: Wildertse Beek. Although it has been more or less straightened in parts, the creek meanders strongly here. It flows further northward east of Essen and is called Kleine Aa there. At the Dutch border, it takes on the Bansloot, meanders a bit more until it crosses the Antwerp Road. After this, it is canalized and called Watermolenbeek or simply Molenbeek. Thus, it enters the built-up area of Roosendaal, where it splits into two arms: one part goes north into Roosendaal, another part (referred to as Engebeek) is diverted west of Roosendaal and still flows along some sluices before eventually draining into the Nieuwe Roosendaalse Vliet north of Roosendaal, which is again connected to the Mark-Vlietkanaal. The Nieuwe Roosendaalse Vliet and the beginning of the Mark-Vlietkanaal are excavations from the Roosendaalse Vliet, the original continuation of the Watermolenbeek that emerges near Bovensas into the Steenbergse Vliet.

For historical reasons, these rivers are considered part of the Meuse basin, although the drainage now actually occurs via the delta of the Oosterschelde to the North Sea.

The creek predominantly flows through an open agricultural landscape and has been straightened in several places in the past. During high discharges, particularly south of Roosendaal and on Belgian territory, flooding occurs. The water quality of the creek is inadequate due to discharges and overflows from Belgium. The Molenbeek has been designated as an ecological connection zone.