| Waal | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:2007-03-08_15.00_Ochten,_zicht_op_de_Waal_foto2.JPG) | |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Location_Waal.PNG) Location of river Waal in dark blue. | |
| Location | |
| Country | Netherlands |
| State | Gelderland |
| Region | Betuwe, Rijk van Nijmegen, Land van Maas en Waal, Land van Altena |
| Cities | Nijmegen, Tiel, Zaltbommel, Gorinchem |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Rhine |
| • location | Millingen aan de Rijn, Gelderland, Netherlands |
| Mouth | River Boven Merwede |
• location | Gorinchem, Gelderland/South Holland, Netherlands |
| Length | 80 km (50 mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 1,500 m3/s (53,000 cu ft/s) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • right | Linge |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:View_on_the_waal_janvangoyen.jpg)
The Waal (Dutch name, pronounced [ʋaːl]) is the main distributary branch of the river Rhine flowing approximately 80 km (50 mi) through the Netherlands. It is the major waterway connecting the port of Rotterdam to Germany. Before it reaches Rotterdam, it joins with the Afgedamde Maas near Woudrichem to form the Boven Merwede. Along its length, Nijmegen, Tiel, Zaltbommel and Gorinchem are towns of importance with direct access to the river.
The river, which is the main channel in the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta system, carries 65% of the total flow of the Rhine.