The Merwede is a Rivière Dutchwoman which belongs to the Delta the Rhine.

It is about the lower course of the Waal. In the past, it also included the lower course of the Meuse, until a stopping was built with Andel in 1904, thus deviating the principal course of this river.

Merwede starts close to the Château of Loevestein (in the east of Woudrichem), with old the Confluent of Waal and the Meuse. The historical border between the counties of Holland and the Gueldre is at this place. Nowadays, the first part of Merwede, the higher Merwede or Boven-Merwede , form the border enters the provinces of the Brabant-Septentrional and the Holland-Southerner.

Close to Gorinchem, Merwede receives water of the Linge and the Canal of Merwede. Beyond Werkendam, the river is divided into two arms: a southernmost arm called New Merwede or Nieuwe Merwede , created artificially, and a septentrional arm called Merwede lower or Beneden-Merwede . Beneden-Merwede continues its course until Dordrecht, where it is divided again into two arms: the Noord and the Old Meuse.

The river is extremely attended by the River navigation. Along Merwede one finds many shipyards, in particular in Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam and Sliedrecht.

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