Waal (river)

Waal
Location of river Waal in dark blue.
Location
CountryNetherlands
StateGelderland
RegionBetuwe, Rijk van Nijmegen, Land van Maas en Waal, Land van Altena
CitiesNijmegen, Tiel, Zaltbommel, Gorinchem
Physical characteristics
SourceRhine
 • locationMillingen aan de Rijn, Gelderland, Netherlands
MouthRiver Boven Merwede
 • location
Gorinchem, Gelderland/South Holland, Netherlands
Length80 km (50 mi)
Discharge 
 • average1,500 m3/s (53,000 cu ft/s)
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • rightLinge
The Waal near Nijmegen, 1641

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.