Yser
Yser | |
---|---|
Native name | French: Yser, Dutch: IJzer Error {{native name checker}}: list markup expected for multiple names (help) |
Location | |
Country | Belgium, France |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | |
• location | Nord |
• elevation | 30 m (98 ft) |
Mouth | |
• location | North Sea |
• coordinates | 51°9′10″N 2°43′23″E / 51.15278°N 2.72306°E |
Length | 78 km (48 mi) |
Basin size | 1,101 km2 (425 sq mi) |
Discharge | |
• average | 3 m3/s (110 cu ft/s) |
The Yser (French: Yser [izɛʁ], Dutch: IJzer [ˈɛi̯zər]) is a river that rises in French Flanders (the north of France), enters the Belgian province of West Flanders and flows through the Ganzepoot and into the North Sea at the town of Nieuwpoort.
The source of the Yser is in Buysscheure (Buisscheure), in the Nord department of northern France. It flows through Bollezeele (Bollezele), Esquelbecq (Ekelsbeke), and Bambecque (Bambeke). After approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) of its 78-kilometre (48 mi) course, it leaves France and enters Belgium. It then flows through Diksmuide and out into the North Sea at Nieuwpoort.
During the Battle of the Yser in the First World War, by opening the sluices, part of the polder west of the Yser was flooded with seawater between Nieuwpoort and Diksmuide to provide an obstacle to the advancing German Army and keep westernmost Belgium safe from German occupation. The Yser river itself never overflowed its banks.[1]
Tributaries
- Peene Becque (Penebeek)
- Sale Becque (Vuilebeek)
- Ey Becque (Heidebeek)
- Zwyne Becque (Zwijnebeek)
References
- ^ Leper, J., Kunstmatige inundaties in Maritiem Vlaanderen 1316-1945, Michiels, Tongeren, 1957 (327 p.), p.205
External links
- Rivers of Belgium
- Rivers of France
- International rivers of Europe
- Rivers of Nord (French department)
- Rivers of Hauts-de-France
- Rivers of West Flanders
- Drainage basins of the North Sea
- Nieuwpoort, Belgium
- Nord (French department) geography stubs
- West Flanders geography stubs
- Belgium river stubs
- France river stubs