Merelbeekse Scheldemeersen

Merelbeekse Scheldemeersen is a large natural floodplain area along the Scheldt river, stretching across the municipalities of Merelbeke, Schelderode, and Melsen in East Flanders, Belgium. Covering more than 340 hectares, the area forms a band roughly 6 kilometers long between the river's right bank and the higher-lying Gaversesteenweg road, with a width of about 500 to 600 meters.

What makes up the Scheldemeersen landscape?

The terrain is dominated by low-lying, wet meadows crossed by a network of drainage ditches. It functions as a natural floodplain of the Scheldt: during periods of high water, the river regularly overflows into the surrounding fields, a process that has shaped the land for centuries and favored the growth of water-loving vegetation. The landscape also features rows of pollarded willows, a traditional element of the Flemish countryside and part of the area's cultural heritage.

A recognized nature reserve called "De Putten," covering about 16 hectares in Melsen, forms part of the wider area. It includes wet meadows, marshland, peat bogs, and waterlogged forest — habitats that have become rare in Flanders' intensively farmed countryside. Nearby lies Sint-Elooisput, another piece of this mosaic of wetlands and meadows.

Who manages the area?

The developed plots and the Melsenbeek stream are managed jointly by Natuurpunt, the municipality of Merelbeke-Melle, and the province of East Flanders. The broader nature development works, which included restoring natural water conditions and habitats, were completed in 2018. The project reflects a wider approach in Flanders of combining nature restoration in river valleys with flood retention for the Scheldt.

Why visit the Scheldemeersen?

Merelbeekse Scheldemeersen appeals to visitors looking for an unspoiled river landscape close to Ghent, away from the noise of the city. Open meadows, the meandering river, and strips of trees recreate the kind of scenery that characterized Flemish river valleys before intensive agriculture reshaped the countryside. The wetlands also attract waterfowl and wading birds, which use the marshy ground for feeding and breeding.

Walking trails cross the area, making it possible to explore its variety of habitats on foot — from drier meadow stretches to boggy hollows and reed-lined ditches.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Merelbeekse Scheldemeersen located? It stretches along the right bank of the Scheldt between the municipalities of Merelbeke, Schelderode, and Melsen, in the province of East Flanders, Belgium.

How large is the area? The full project covers more than 340 hectares, spanning about 6 kilometers in length and 500 to 600 meters in width.

What is the "De Putten" reserve? It is a roughly 16-hectare recognized nature reserve within the Melsen section, made up of wet meadows, marshland, peat bogs, and waterlogged forest.

Who is responsible for managing the area? The developed plots and the Melsenbeek stream are managed by Natuurpunt, the municipality of Merelbeke-Melle, and the province of East Flanders.