| Yser/IJzer | |
|---|---|
Mouth of the Yser, seen from the air. |
|
| Origin | Nord |
| Mouth | North Sea |
| Basin countries | Belgium, France |
| Length | 78 km |
| Source elevation | 30 m |
| Basin area | 1,101 km² |
The Yser (Dutch: IJzer, French: Yser) is a river that finds its origin in the north of France, enters Belgium and flows into the North Sea at the town of Nieuwpoort.
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The source of the Yser is in Buysscheure, in the Nord département of northern France. It then flows though Bollezeele, Esquelbecq, Bambecque and approximately 30 of its 78 kilometers run through France before it crosses the border at Houtkerque.
In Belgium the Yser flows through Diksmuide, and out into the North Sea in Nieuwpoort. During the Battle of the Yser in the First World War the river was deliberately flooded from Nieuwpoort up to Diksmuide in order to provide an obstacle to the advancing German Army and to keep Belgium safe from any harm.
