Oude Maas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Oude Maas | |
|---|---|
| Old Meuse | |
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| Country | The Netherlands |
| State | South Holland |
| Length | 30 km (19 mi) |
| Source | Beneden Merwede |
| - location | Dordrecht |
| Mouth | Nieuwe Maas |
| - location | Vlaardingen |
 Location of Oude Maas in dark blue.
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River Oude Maas ("Old Meuse") is a branch in the Rhine-Meuse delta in the Dutch province of South Holland. It begins at the city of Dordrecht where the Beneden Merwede river splits into the Noord River and the Oude Maas.
The Oude Maas forms the southern boundary of the IJsselmonde island. Soon after Dordrecht the Dordtsche Kil forks off and after that the Oude Maas forms the northern boundary of the Hoeksche Waard island, flowing west until the Spui river forks off at the town of Oud-Beijerland. The Oude Maas then heads northwest between the towns/cities of Spijkenisse and Hoogvliet and joins river Nieuwe Maas opposite the city of Vlaardingen, the combined river is known as Het Scheur and flows to the North Sea.
Although this branch is called "Maas" (Meuse), it gets most of its water from river Rhine, of which it is an important estuary. In fact, the influence of the Meuse have been diminished to the point that both the Nieuwe Maas and the Oude Maas can no longer been considered part of the river Meuse. Both stretches of river are only receiving water from the Rhine, at least for most of the time. The river is tidal and has nature and recreation areas.
Connections from the IJsselmonde island on the north:
- with Hoeksche Waard island:
- 1st and 2nd Heinenoordtunnel (motor vehicles, cyclists)
- with Voorne-Putten island:
- Spijkenisser Bridge (motor vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians)
- metro tunnel
