The river Scheldt is the main waterway in Flanders. It is of inestimable value for the economy, culture and nature.

The river rises in the North of France in Gouy-le-Catelet, on the Saint-Quentin plateau, 95 m above sea level. The rising is small and first forms a brook which is then fed by other brooks and tributaries. All the brooks and tributaries that feed the river Scheldt are forming, together with the main river, the Scheldt basin.
When the river Scheldt enters Belgium, its level is only 16 m above sea-level. Untill it reaches Ghent, the Scheldt is called "Upper-Scheldt". Once passed that city, from the sea-lock in Merelbeke on, it becomes the "Sea Scheldt". This means that this part of the river undergoes the influence of the sea : the tide goes as far as Ghent and one can navigate to the sea without meeting any blocking or obstacle of any kind. Downstream, passing Antwerp, the river quietly enters the Netherlands and becomes the "Western Scheldt". Next to Bath, the river makes a large curve, the flooded country of Saeftinghe is situated in this curve. In Vlissingen, the river Scheldt joins the North Sea.

Together the Sea Scheldt and the Western Scheldt form the estuary of the river Scheldt. An estuary is a wide mouth sensible to the tides and sea streams. One particularity of the river Scheldt is that the tides go very far into the country, i.e. as far as the Ghent locks, situated about 160 km from the sea. The Schelde tributaries are also subject to the tides : the Durme, the Rupel, the Large Nèthe and the Small Nèthe, the Dyle and the Senne. On the Dender, the tides are contained by a dam and a lock that has been constructed in Dendermonde.

The tides do have their effect on the banks of a river. The areas that are flooded twice a day are called the "slikke". They are inhabited by a lot of small earth animals on which birds and fish are feeding. Here the plants have no chance to grow. The areas that are situated a little bit higher are flooded only twice a month, at spring-tides. They are coastal marshes called "schorre". A few plants can grow (mainly reed and willow). When the water withdraws, small trenches remain that form creeks. A large number of slikke and schorre along the Schelde are protected nature reserves. In the estuary a remarkably rich fauna and flora can be found. Each year up to 230.000 aquatic birds are counted. Especiallly in autumn and in winter they are staying in the area. You can see as many as 80 different aquatic birds types.
The tides bring salted water in the Scheldt, but not further up than Rupelmonde. Between Ghent and Rupelmonde, one finds fresh water again. In that area you can find fresh water and tides, which is a curiosity in Europe. This area also was the setting of a tv-movie "Stille waters" ("silent waters").

Of course, the river Scheldt is also a navigable waterway with many ships going to or coming from the ports of Antwerp, Vlissingen, Terneuzen and even Ghent and Brussels. Through the Lys and the Upper Scheldt, the river is also a link between France, Flanders and the Netherlands. Through Antwerp, the ships can go east, taking the Albert canal to join the Meuse basin. The Scheldt offers unlimited possibilities to those who look for sport or relaxing : sailing, cruising, walking or biking along the tow-paths, a.s.o. If you are fond of culture, the cities along the river will fascinate you : they testify to the great quality and refining of the ancient Flemish culture. Art, science, literature and architecture : Antwerp, Rupelmonde, Temse, Dendermonde and Ghent are only but a few places that you will discover.


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