Leidse Rijn

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Leidse Rijn
Leiden's Rhine
none Leidse Rijn between Harmelen and De Meern
Leidse Rijn between Harmelen and De Meern
Country The Netherlands
State Utrecht
Length 13 km (8 mi)
Source Kromme Rijn
 - location Utrecht, Utrecht
Mouth Oude Rijn
 - location Harmelen, South Holland
Location of Leidse Rijn in dark blue.
Location of Leidse Rijn in dark blue.

The Leidse Rijn (Dutch for "Leiden's Rhine") is a short river in Utrecht (province), the Netherlands.

The river is a remnant of the Rhine river and was formerly its main branch before it silted up in the 17th century. It is the continuation of the Kromme Rijn (Crooked Rhine) after the city of Utrecht where both streams are part of the city's moat system. The Leidse Rijn ends at Harmelen. From here on it is called the Oude Rijn and drains into the North Sea at Katwijk.

At Utrecht, the Leidse Rijn crosses the Merwede Canal and the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal. Besides Utrecht, it flows also through the municipality of Woerden.

Satellite close-up of the Utrecht region showing the Leidse Rijn-Oude Rijn stream (d).
Satellite close-up of the Utrecht region showing the Leidse Rijn-Oude Rijn stream (d).