Re-meandering of the Kleine Nete: improving biodiversity and the rewetting of Flanders

This project is part of the integral river restoration programme of the Kleine Nete and fits in the Blue Deal, the Flemish government’s plan to tackle drought and flooding. Sweco was commissioned by the Vlaamse Milieumaatschappij (VMM) to handle the design, the preparation of the environmental permit and the tender dossier.

The Kleine Nete in the Olens Broek-Langendonk nature reserve in Herentals has been given a major makeover. Four cut-off meanders are reconnected to the main stream of the river. Now she meanders through the landscape as usual. This ensures more variation in flow speed, more opportunities for fauna and flora, better water storage and helps to prevent the nature reserve from drying out.

Drought and flooding

To make room for agricultural reclamation, the Kleine Nete in the Olens Broek nature reserve was straightened in the past. In this way, the water was drained more quickly, but this caused flooding downstream. In addition, the watercourse lost its ecological value and connection with the valley. The cut-off meanders remained in the landscape like ponds and the adjacent nature reserve suffered from desiccation.

Photo Credit: © VMM

Space for nature and recreation

Four of these meanders have been reconnected and thresholds have been placed in the original main course. This resulted in 920 m of new river, extra buffer capacity and a water level rise of about 60 cm. A new pedestrian bridge ensures that the existing walking junction route remains a continuous whole. Kayakers can now also explore the winding river instead of the former straight course.