Lek (river)

Lek is the name of a 62 -kilometer portion of the Lower Rhine - Lek - stream, which is one of the main streams of the Rhine delta. This current flow is called from the branch of the Oude Rijn Lek ( " Old Rhine " Kromme Rijn here also - " Crooked Rhine " - called ) at Wijk bij Duurstede. In historical times here made ​​the course Nederrijn - Oude Rijn the main course, the Lek was only a branch of it. After many floods, mainly in Utrecht and Leiden, the Oude Rijn was dammed in 1123. The Lek was the main stream.

In Krimpen aan de Lek (municipality Nederlek ) is Lek and Noord unite, another delta main section, the Nieuwe Maas ( New Meuse ). The Lek - section lies entirely in the Netherlands, initially forms the border between the provinces of Utrecht and Gelderland, and then flows through a part of the province of South Holland. The tides of the sea are on the river to Nieuwegein, south of Utrecht effectively.

At Lek are no large cities, but a number of historic towns: Wijk bij Duurstede, Vianen, Ameide, Nieuwpoort and Schoonhoven. The largest city is Nieuwegein, whose historical center is located at Vreeswijk Lek. The Lek is connected to the Amsterdam - Rhine Canal and the Merwede Canal with other waterways. Shortly after Wijk bij Duurstede he crosses the Amsterdam - Rhine Canal, and at Vianen the Merwede Canal. An older connection is the Vlist that forms a connection to the Hollandse IJssel from Schoonhoven. In Hagestein there is a dam with sluice gates and fish ladder.

Bridges are located in Vianen, a railway bridge located in Culemborg. Otherwise only ferry available.