Maas River Cruise

The Maas: Facts about the river

The Maas is one of the most important rivers in Western Europe. Those who sail on the Maas in Rotterdam are on the Nieuwe Maas (New Maas), the final section of the river before the water reaches the North Sea via the Nieuwe Waterweg (New Waterway). Below is more about the source, course, and branches of the Maas.

The Maas originates in France.

The Meuse rises in France, in the Haute-Marne department, on a plateau near the village of Pouilly-en-Bassigny. The source of the Meuse is over 400 meters above sea level, in the region also called the French Ardennes. From its source, the Meuse flows approximately 925 kilometers north, through France and Belgium, eventually ending up in the North Sea via the Netherlands. Although the Rhine enters the Netherlands by way of Germany, the Meuse enters our country directly from Belgium via Eijsden.

How does the Meuse flow in the Netherlands?

The Meuse enters the Netherlands near Eijsden, a border village in South Limburg. From there, the Meuse flows towards Maastricht, and further on to Roermond and Venlo. This southern section is called the meandering Meuse because the river still winds through the landscape here. Alongside the Meuse in Limburg lies the Julian Canal, a man-made canal from the last century that guarantees navigability during low water levels.

From Venlo, the Maas river flows west through North Brabant and Gelderland, past places like Cuijk, Grave, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, and Heusden. Near Heusden, the river splits into the Afgedamde Maas and the Bergse Maas (sometimes spelled Bergsche Maas). The Bergse Maas was dug in 1904 to better discharge floodwaters and prevent overflows. Further downstream, the Maas flows into the Hollands Diep. Near Rotterdam, the Nieuwe Maas carries some of the water via the Nieuwe Waterweg to the sea, making the Nieuwe Maas estuary an important point for shipping.

How long, deep, and wide is the Meuse?

The total length of the Meuse River is approximately 925 kilometers, of which about 250 kilometers are in the Netherlands. The depth varies greatly: in Limburg, the Meuse is 3 to 7 meters deep, while in the Nieuwe Maas near Rotterdam, the river is artificially kept at a depth of approximately 15 meters so that large sea vessels can reach the port. The width ranges from a few tens of meters near Maastricht to over 400 meters near Rotterdam. The banks are reinforced in many places with dikes and quays.

Large cities and charming villages along the Meuse

Along the Maas lie many cities and villages. The most important large cities are Maastricht, Roermond, Venlo, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, and Rotterdam. In Belgium (Liège, Namur) and France (Verdun, Sedan), there are also large towns along the Maas. On the west side and southern branch, you will also find nice villages: Eijsden, Thorn (the white town), Wellerlooi, Cuijk, Grave, Heusden with its ramparts, Oss, and Lith. Other places in the Belgian border region also have beautiful villages along the Maas.

The Meuse basin

The Meuse river basin extends across parts of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and a small part of Germany. In the Netherlands, the basin is mainly located in Limburg, North Brabant, and Gelderland. The Meuse flows from south to north through the Netherlands: in the south, the river enters at Eijsden, and in the north, some of the Meuse water leaves the Netherlands via the Nieuwe Waterweg. From South Limburg to Brabant, the Meuse passes dozens of municipalities along its banks. The meandering Meuse in Limburg and Brabant is the winding natural section, while elsewhere parts of the river have been canalized to ensure navigability.

The Juliana Canal is one of the most well-known man-made canals alongside the Meuse River, built to provide inland vessels with a stable water level. Other canals along the Meuse were also constructed in the last century for shipping between Brabant and Limburg. The water level of the Meuse fluctuates significantly with the seasons: after heavy rain, the water level can rise rapidly, risking floods, while in dry summers, the water level drops sharply. Various government bodies work with Rijkswaterstaat (the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management) to monitor the water level and prevent floods.

Delta Programme Rivers and Water Management

The Delta Program Meuse is the policy plan in which Rijkswaterstaat, the water boards, the province of Limburg, the other provinces, and the municipalities cooperate on a future-proof Meuse. Within the Delta Program Meuse, the focus is on water safety, spatial quality, nature, and shipping. Dikes are being raised, floodplains are being redesigned to provide more space during high water, and weirs and locks regulate the water level. The lock at Borgharen and the many bridges are components of this complex waterway system. After the floods in Limburg in 1993 and 1995, many measures were taken to make the Meuse more manageable for residents and businesses.

New insights are continuously incorporated into integrated river management, ensuring that the river stays within its dikes even during extreme high water. The involved authorities are working on dikes, overflow areas, and measures for nature and shipping. Along the Meuse River, additional measures have been taken in many places to better protect residents and businesses.

The Meuse and the Rhine

The Meuse and the Rhine are the two major rivers in the Netherlands. The Rhine originates in the Swiss Alps and passes through Germany before entering the Netherlands at Lobith. The Rhine discharges on average much more water than the Meuse: about 2,300 m³ per second for the Rhine compared to approximately 230 m³ per second for the Meuse. The Rhine is a rain- and snow-fed river (fed by meltwater from the Alps), while the Meuse is purely a rain-fed river. On the other hand, both rivers together with the Waal and IJssel form the Rhine-Meuse delta. The southern and northern branches of this system converge around Heusden and the Biesbosch. Rijkswaterstaat (the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management) manages both rivers in conjunction: the Rhine and the Meuse are hydrologically connected via the Waal.

Shipping on the Meuse

The Maas is a busy river. Upstream of Rotterdam, inland vessels sail towards Belgium, France, and via canals to Germany. Downstream, large sea-going vessels sail via the Nieuwe Maas and the Nieuwe Waterweg to the port of Rotterdam. For recreational boating, the Maas is accessible in large parts, with marinas in Maastricht, Roermond, Venlo, and Rotterdam, among other places. Both the banks and the bridges have been constructed with both shipping and water management in mind. Upstream, you face a calmer landscape; downstream, the industrial areas and the port come into view.