De Loonse Waard - Balgoij

If you cycle along the Meuse here, you’ll see a landscape that only took on its current form in 2009. Clay used to be extracted here in the Loonse Waard for the brick industry. This left behind a large lake that became popular with recreationists. But after the floods of 1993 and 1995, it became clear that the river needed more space.

That’s why a side channel was dug here: a branch that’s openly connected to the Meuse. During high water, the water flows away faster via this channel, which reduces the pressure on the dikes. In this way, the Loonse Waard combines safety with nature development.

Around the channel, a unique river landscape is now taking shape. Shallow banks offer space to fish, dragonflies and plants that are now rare elsewhere. From red bartsia to cross-leaved bedstraw: species that are typical of dynamic floodplains. Beavers and water birds have also discovered the area; a colony of common terns nests here in summer.

To prevent the area from becoming overgrown, cows from a nearby farmer graze here. This helps maintain the variety of plants and animals.