River Maas / Meuse

The Maas (in French Meuse) rises on the Langres plateau in France at a height of 456m/1,496ft above sea level and flows through French territory for 450km/280mi and through Belgium for 192km/119mi before reaching the Netherlands. For part of its course between Liège and Maastricht it forms the frontier between Belgium and the Netherlands. South of Nijmegen it turns west and flows parallel with the Waal, the southern arm of the Rhine - sometimes linking up with it - for 260km/160mi before reaching the Biesbosch in the delta area and flowing into the Hollands Diep.

Plans were developed from an early stage for improving the navigability of the Maas throughout the year. In 1904 it was diverted from Woudrichem to Geertruidenberg, where the water level at ebb tide was lower. Various bends were straightened and considerable stretches of the river were canalized. The Julianakanaal, a lateral canal between Maastricht and Maasbracht opened in 1935, has been of great benefit to the Limburg industrial region; it lies higher than the surrounding country and gives the impression that ships on the canal are sailing on land.