Waal (river)

Waal (river)

The Waal or Rivier Waal ("Waal River") is the main distributary branch of river Rhine flowing through the Netherlands. Approximately 80 km (50 mi), it is the major waterway connecting the harbor of the Dutch port city of Rotterdam with Germany. Before it reaches Rotterdam, it joins with the Meuse near Woudrichem to form the Boven Merwede. Along its length, Nijmegen, Tiel, Zaltbommel and Gorinchem are towns of importance with direct access to the river.

The river, which is the main channel in the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta system, carries 65% of the total flow of the Rhine.