The Handzamevallei is characterized by a highly dynamic water system shaped by the Handzamevaart. This watercourse functions as a typical rain-fed river, where most of the discharge originates from surface runoff, while groundwater contributions remain limited. As a result, the Handzamevaart responds rapidly to rainfall events, leading to strong fluctuations in water levels and discharge. During winter, this often causes frequent flooding in the valley.

This behavior is reinforced by several landscape and soil-related factors. Extensive agricultural fields within the catchment area, combined with wet winter soils, lead to increased surface runoff. At the same time, slopes in the upstream areas efficiently channel water towards the valley, where the gradient significantly decreases downstream. This slows down the drainage towards the IJzer River, causing water to remain in the valley for longer periods. Additionally, the presence of clay layers limits infiltration, further enhancing runoff.

Over time, substantial human interventions have modified this natural system in an effort to control flooding. Technical measures such as pumping stations, siphoning of tributaries, and river normalization works have significantly altered the water management regime, aiming to better regulate both wet and dry periods. These interventions have enabled more intensive land use, particularly in agriculture, where grasslands have evolved into highly productive fields with multiple mowing cycles per year.

At the same time, the Handzamevallei remains an area of significant ecological value. The combination of wet grasslands, open landscapes, and variable water levels creates important habitats for meadow birds and other species. This requires a well-balanced water management approach, where agriculture, nature conservation, and flood protection are carefully aligned. The Handzame Valley thus exemplifies a landscape in which natural processes and human interventions are closely intertwined.

The Handzamevallei is a landscape shaped by water and by the way water is managed. To better understand how water moves through the valley, we built a hydrological model of the catchment. This platform invites you to explore the Model and Data behind it, the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the catchment's hydrological response, and the Adaptation Strategies being tested, altogether, a model-based assessment of adaptation to wet and dry periods in the valley.