The Roer rises in the High Fens in Belgium at about NAP +660m. Via Germany, the water flows northwards. Near Roermond, the river empties into the Meuse. The Roer is about 165 kilometres long and has a catchment area of 2340 km2. The upstream catchment of the Roer is located in the Ardennes and the Eifel. Here, the land use consists mainly of forests and grassland and has poorly permeable soils and rocks in which little water can be stored.
To retain water, seven reservoirs were built here in the past to provide drinking water. These reservoirs are managed by the Wasserverband Eifel-Rur (Eifel-Rur Water Association). Apart for drinking water supply they have also the purpose of reducing the risk of flooding. The northern, downstream, part of the basin is less high, has more gentle slopes and the land use is dominated by agriculture and urban areas (Düren, Aachen, Jülich and Roermond). The soils in this northern part are much more permeable and more precipitation is stored here in groundwater.
2.350
Square kilometers
650m
Height difference
15 %
Urban area
650.000
Buildings
Upcoming research:
For this river basin, a joint transnational stresstest is under development. With a stresstest, we try to investigate the resilience of the water systems for extreme weather conditions and identify which measures may be considered to become better prepared for these extreme floods (more info). Planned research further focus on quantification of effects of potential measures and operation of reservoirs under future change (more info).
Publications in this basin
Stress test Rur: Scoping and system understanding
This is the first report on the ‘Stress Test Rur’ project. The aim of the stress test is to analyse the response of the Rur catchment to extreme hydrological stress and to identify potential risk mitigation measures. The report describes the scope of the study and the Rur river system. It comprises the catchment characteristics, water infrastructure and its usage and a stakeholder overview. Additionally, a comprehensive inventory of water-related models of the Rur catchment is provided. This information will support the next steps in performing the stress test and serve as a basis for developing the models. Along with the system description a glossary of technical terms in multiple languages (German, Dutch, French) is provided.
Stress Test Rur: Stakeholder Interviews
This is the third report on the Stress Test Rur project. The aim of the stress test is to analyse the response of the Rur catchment to extreme hydrological stress and to identify potential risk mitigation measures. This document describes the method that will be applied and lists potential measures that can be explored within the scope of the stress-test. The document describes the outcomes and conclusions of interviews that were held with stakeholders in the Rur catchment. Representatives from organizations emphasizing cooperation and cross-border collaboration were interviewed about integrative approaches to address nature conservation and reservoir operation challenges. The answers reveal that floods are more of a concern than droughts in the Rur River basin. Climate change is increasingly considered in risk planning. The stakeholders highlight the importance of data availability and scientific support to fill knowledge gaps. Notably, German and Dutch priorities differ, especially regarding discharge volumes and drinking water supply, underscoring the need for joint execution of the stress test.
Stress Test Rur: Design choices
This is the second report on the ‘Stress Test Rur’ project. The aim of the stress test is to analyse the response of the Rur catchment to extreme hydrological stress and to identify potential risk mitigation measures. This document describes the method that will be applied and lists potential measures that can be explored within the scope of the stress-test. It comprises a screening of different approaches to execute stress tests, as well as an analysis of the various computational modelling systems that are applied in the flood and water management in the basin (?jaap) An experimental and model design to execute the stress test proposed. The results of this document form the basis for further modelling and decision-making processes to improve flood protection in the Rur catchment area.
Optimization of Detention Basin Operation at the Lower Rur River in Germany
Forestation can mitigate extreme floods in the Meuse basin
Watersystemanalysis Limburg 2021 (Dutch)
