Herentals (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Recent rainfall raised water levels just above the minimum, allowing kayaking to resume on the Kleine Nete and Dommel rivers during Ascension weekend.
Kayaking is once again permitted by the Flemish Environment Agency through Sunday, June 1.
“I quickly called customers last night to tell them the good news,”
Says Benny De Laet of De Waterral in Herentals, Belgium.
Sailing has been forbidden on extensive sections of the Kleine Nete and the Dommel in Pelt, Limburg, since mid-May.
The water level has fallen below the required minimum of 50 centimeters due to the ongoing drought. The Flemish Environment Agency claims that paddling at such a low water level causes too much harm to the riverbed.
However, because of the recent rain, the water level on the Kleine Nete has increased to 51 centimeters, which is sufficient to temporarily abolish the sailing ban.
“That will happen until 1 June,”
Says Katrien Smet of the Flemish Environment Agency.
“We are doing this because we also realise that it is important that the kayak rental companies can earn their living during the extended weekend.”
At the same time, Smet fears that the sailing ban will have to come back into effect from Monday.
“Normally, the water level will unfortunately drop again.”
But in the meantime, kayak rental companies can get back to work.
“The timing is perfect, of course,”
Says Benny De Laet of De Waterral in Herentals.
“I called all my customers until late on Wednesday evening to let them know that kayaking is allowed again.”
“Of course it is not always possible to act quickly, because in the meantime some customers had already cancelled their bus for this extended weekend. We also try to spread the news online as much as possible.”
Patrick Seels of Kempen Kayaks in Retie does not expect a sudden rush.
“If the weather were glorious now, you would have even more passers-by wanting to kayak in the coming days. It is good that we are allowed to rent out, but I fear that it will not solve much financially.”
How did recent rainfall specifically impact Kayaking conditions on Kleine Nete and Dommel?
In particular, kayaking conditions on the Kleine Nete and Dommel rivers have been affected by recent rainfall, which has raised the water levels just enough to temporarily suspend the sailing prohibition.
The river’s discharge was boosted by the precipitation over the last three days, raising the water levels to one centimeter above the minimum needed for safe kayaking.
Because both rivers are rain-fed and have a flashy hydrological character—that is, their flow and water levels react rapidly to rainfall events—this surge in water level is noteworthy.
Because of its catchment characteristics and relatively short drainage length, the Dommel in particular has a natural planform and reacts quickly to precipitation. Because of the increased discharge caused by the rainfall, paddlers’ safety and navigability improved.
