Nederrijn
Nederrijn ("Lower Rhine"; not to be confused with the section called Lower Rhine further upstream) is the name of the Dutch part of the Rhine from the confluence at the town of Angeren of the cut-off Rhine bend of Oude Rijn and the Pannerdens Kanaal (which was dug to form the new connection between the Waal and Nederrijn branches). The city of Arnhem lies on the right (north) bank of the Nederrijn, just past the point where the IJssel branches off. The Nederrijn flows on to the city of Wijk bij Duurstede, from where it continues as the Lek. The once-important but now small Kromme Rijn branch (in Roman times part of the Limes Germanicus and border river of the Roman Empire) carries the name "Rhine" towards the city of Utrecht.
| Nederrijn | |
|---|---|
 Nederrijn near Arnhem | |
 Location of the Nederrijn | |
| Location | |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Region | Gelderland |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Pannerdens Kanaal |
| • location | Huissen, Gelderland, Netherlands 51°56′59″N 5°57′7″E |
| • coordinates | 51°56′59″N 5°57′7″E |
| Mouth | Lek |
• location | Wijk bij Duurstede, Utrecht, Netherlands 51°58′11″N 5°21′8″E |
• coordinates | 51°58′11″N 5°21′8″E |
| Length | 50 km (31 mi) |
In order to regulate the distribution of drainage between the different branches of the Rhine, several dams have been constructed. If the dams are closed, there is little flow in the Nederrijn and most of the water is drained by the IJssel.
Bridges over the Nederrijn are in Arnhem (railway and three road bridges), in Heteren (A50) and Rhenen. Ferries are found near Doorwerth, Wageningen, Opheusden, Elst and Amerongen.
History
In 1530, the Rhine near Arnhem was moved, a project that was completed in 1536. The city, which originated along the St. Jansbeek ("St. John's Brook'), could develop better now that it was closer to the river, and was also more easily defended against Habsburg expansionism into Guelders.
See also
Gallery
Nederrijn at Arnhem
Nederrijn near Renkum
Plate made by Wenzel Hollar 1607-1677
Wageningen 1730
Panorama near Wageningen
Nederrijn near Wageningen
Weir near Amerongen
The last stretch of the Nederrijn, near Wijk bij Duurstede