The Kleine Nete is a clean but vulnerable river in Flanders, with strict Water Framework and Habitats Directives. Popular canoeing and kayaking activities can undermine these goals. The 2018 Kayak Agreement between the government, rental firms, and municipalities aims to promote responsible use of the river.
Key Challenge
How can we communicate with water users about the goals for the Kleine Nete, instead of a kayak ban, to keep the Kleine Nete clean and safe for aquatic life?
Realised Experiments
Two sensors have been temporarily installed facing the Kleine Nete to monitor and gather data on the number of people kayaking and canoeing in the area.
Latest News
Find out more about the pilot area in our latest Project News.
One of the key challenges in managing the Kleine Nete river is finding a way to effectively communicate with water users about the importance of preserving its ecosystem, rather than resorting to a kayak ban.
Over the past few months, the Flanders Environment Agency who is Host Partner of the pilot area “Kleine Nete”, focussed on defining the various stakeholders and their needs within their pilot project.
Project Partner
© Text & Pictures: Flanders Environment Agency