The Lievenherebeek is back in Meise Botanic Garden!

For the first time since the 19th century, the Lievenherebeek once again flows above ground in Meise Botanic Garden, where it joins the Orangery Pond. This project, made possible through collaboration with Regionaal Landschap Brabantse Kouters (RLBK) and the Province of Flemish Brabant, received financial support from the Flemish Land Agency through the Water+Land+Schap programme.

In the face of extreme weather conditions - wet winters, very dry springs, heatwaves, and heavy downpours, it is essential to restore streams as natural buffers. By bringing the Lievenherebeek back above ground and allowing it to meander, Meise Botanic Garden strengthens this “wet nature,” which helps protect against flooding and drought.

The stream now flows through a pond that captures rainwater and releases it gradually. At the same time, Aquafin is studying how rainwater and wastewater from the north part of Meise can be drained separately in order to reduce downstream flooding risks in the Amelvonnesbeek.

This initiative is part of the Water+Land+Schap Klimaatrobuuste Groene Noordrand programme, which aims to improve water management in the region through measures such as the creation of wadis and swales, as well as smart water reuse.