Do you regularly walk along the Geul? Then you have probably noticed something nice has happened in Epen. On Monday, the renewed fish passage ‘de Bennet’ was officially opened, and honestly, the fish really needed this.
The old fish ladder simply did not work in practice. The height differences between the steps were just too big, so fish could not climb up. That is now fixed with smaller steps and a gentler flow. 🐟
So what has improved?
- Fish like the European minnow and brook lamprey can swim upstream again
- The walking bridge toward the Volmolen is open once more
- New trees have been planted (with protection against hungry beavers!)
- No extra flooding risk for surrounding villages
The water board did have to cut down a few trees, but they have been replaced with fresh planting. And the beavers? They belong in the Geul, so they stay. Only the young trees got some extra armour around them.
Bit by bit, the Geul is becoming a wilder, healthier river again. Good news for fish, walkers, and anyone who loves our beautiful hill country.
This upgrade is not optional. Under the European Water Framework Directive, every EU country must ensure rivers are both chemically clean and freely swimmable for fish. For Limburg that means even the smallest tributaries must allow species like the brook lamprey to find their natural migration route again.
Source: Municipality
