List of rivers of the Netherlands Facts for Kids

The Netherlands is a country with many important rivers! Most of these rivers flow into the North Sea, which is a big sea next to the Netherlands. Some also flow into a large lake called the IJsselmeer.

Imagine the Netherlands as a giant funnel. All the water from its rivers eventually makes its way to the North Sea. In this article, we'll explore some of the main rivers, starting from the south near the Belgian border and moving north towards Germany. If a river flows into another river, we'll talk about it closer to where it joins the bigger river, closer to the sea.

A huge part of the Netherlands is a special area called the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta. This is where three major rivers – the Scheldt, the Meuse, and the Rhine – split into many smaller branches and canals before reaching the sea. It's like a giant network of waterways!

Main Rivers of the Netherlands
See also

Main Rivers of the Netherlands

Here are some of the most important rivers and their branches:

Rivers Flowing into the Sea (South to North)

Scheldt River System

Western Scheldt (Westerschelde): This is a wide estuary (where a river meets the sea) near Vlissingen.
- Scheldt (Schelde): The main river starts in France and flows through Belgium before reaching the Netherlands near Zandvliet.
Oosterschelde: Another large estuary near Westenschouwen.
- Keeten-Mastgat: A waterway near Stavenisse.
  - It branches off the Krammer near Bruinisse.
Grevelingen: A former estuary, now a saltwater lake, near Scharendijke.
- Krammer: A waterway near Bruinisse.
  - Volkerak: This waterway is near Oude Tonge.
    - Steenbergse Vliet: A smaller river near Steenbergen.
    - Dintel: This river joins near Dintelsas.

* Mark: Flows into the Dintel in Zevenbergen. ** Aa of Weerijs: Joins the Mark in Breda.

- - - It also connects to the Hollands Diep near Willemstad.

Meuse and Rhine River Systems

Haringvliet: A wide estuary near Stellendam.
- Spui: A short river near Middelharnis.
  - It branches off the Oude Maas near Oud-Beijerland.
- Hollands Diep: A large freshwater estuary near Willemstad.
  - Dordtsche Kil: A channel near Moerdijk.
    - It branches off the Oude Maas near Dordrecht.
  - Nieuwe Merwede: A wide river near Lage Zwaluwe.
    - It branches off the Boven Merwede in Werkendam.
  - Amer: A river near Lage Zwaluwe.
    - Bergse Maas: A canalized river near Geertruidenberg.

* Meuse (Maas): This major river flows into the Bergse Maas in Heusden. ** Dieze: A river near 's-Hertogenbosch. *** Aa: Joins the Dieze in 's-Hertogenbosch. *** Binnendieze: Also in 's-Hertogenbosch. *** Dommel: Joins the Dieze in 's-Hertogenbosch. **** Gender: Flows into the Dommel in Eindhoven. ** Niers: A river that joins in Gennep. ** Swalm: Joins the Meuse in Swalmen. ** Rur (Roer): Flows into the Meuse in Roermond. *** Wurm: Joins the Rur near Heinsberg, Germany. ** Geleenbeek: A stream near Maasbracht. ** Geul: Joins the Meuse near Meerssen. ** Jeker (Geer): Flows into the Meuse in Maastricht. ** Voer (Fouron): Joins the Meuse in Eijsden.

Nieuwe Waterweg: A very important shipping canal that connects Rotterdam to the North Sea at Hook of Holland.
- Het Scheur: A wide river near Maassluis.
  - Nieuwe Maas: Joins Het Scheur near Vlaardingen.
    - Schie: A canal in Schiedam.

* Vliet: Joins the Schie in Delft.

- - - Rotte: A small river in Rotterdam.
    - Hollandse IJssel: Joins the Nieuwe Maas in Krimpen aan den IJssel.

* Gouwe: A canal in Gouda. ** It branches off the Oude Rijn in Alphen aan den Rijn.

- - - Lek: A major branch of the Rhine, joining in Krimpen aan de Lek.

* Nederrijn: This river starts in Wijk bij Duurstede. ** Pannerdens Kanaal: A canal near Arnhem. *** It branches off the Bijlands Kanaal at Millingen aan de Rijn.

- - - Noord: A river in Krimpen aan de Lek.

* It branches off the Oude Maas in Dordrecht.

- - Oude Maas: A major river near Vlaardingen.
    - Beneden Merwede: Joins the Oude Maas in Dordrecht.

* Boven Merwede: Joins the Beneden Merwede in Werkendam. ** Linge: A long river that joins in Gorinchem. ** Afgedamde Maas: A former branch of the Meuse, joining in Woudrichem. *** It used to be a branch of the Meuse in Heusden. ** Waal: The largest branch of the Rhine, joining in Woudrichem. *** Bijlands Kanaal: A canal at Millingen aan de Rijn. **** Rhine (Rijn): This huge European river enters the Netherlands in Tolkamer.

Oude Rijn: This "Old Rhine" flows into the North Sea at Katwijk.
- Leidse Rijn: A canal in Harmelen.
  - Kromme Rijn: Joins the Leidse Rijn in Utrecht.
    - It branches off the Nederrijn in Wijk bij Duurstede.

Rivers Flowing into the IJsselmeer

Amstel: This river flows into the IJ bay of the IJsselmeer in Amsterdam.
North Sea Canal: A very important canal that connects Amsterdam to the North Sea. It flows into the IJ bay of the IJsselmeer in Amsterdam.
- Zaan: A river in Zaanstad.
- Spaarne: A river near Spaarndam.
Vecht: Flows into the IJsselmeer in Muiden.
- It branches off the Kromme Rijn in Utrecht.
IJssel: This major branch of the Rhine flows into the IJsselmeer near Kampen.
- Schipbeek: Joins the IJssel near Deventer.
- Berkel: Flows into the IJssel in Zutphen.
- Oude IJssel: Joins the IJssel in Doesburg.
- It branches off the Pannerdens Kanaal near Arnhem.
Zwarte Water: Flows into the IJsselmeer near Genemuiden.
- Vecht (Overijssel): Joins the Zwarte Water near Zwolle.
  - Regge: Joins the Vecht near Ommen.
  - Dinkel: This river joins in Neuenhaus, Germany.

Rivers Flowing Directly into the North Sea (North)

Lauwers: Flows into the North Sea in Lauwersoog.
Ems: This river forms part of the border with Germany and flows into the North Sea near Delfzijl.

List of rivers of the Netherlands facts for kids

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