Introduction
In 1421, during a heavy gale from the Northwest, combined with a springtide, a number of dykes got damaged causing an almost complete inundation of the “Groote of Zuid Hollandsche Waard”, (The Great or South Holland Diked-haugh). This disaster was named after St. Elisabeth, the patroness of that day and is still known as the “St. Elisabeth flood”. More than 60.000 ha. were inundated and the sea got free access to this once so prosperous territory, in earlier years reclaimed from the the sea by man. Sediments from the rivers and the tidal motions of the sea created a new natural territory in the following years and was later given the name “De Biesbosch”.
A combination of natural and human influences such as water and wind, fishery and aquaculture ( rush, reet and low-willow grounds), duck decoys and agriculture created the shape and appearance as we know it now. The triangular partition of De Biesbosch was created by reclaiming of land and digging the river “Nieuwe Merwede” and “Bergsche Maas”. All together it took almost six centuries to create De Biesbosch as it appears in the new millennium.
In 1970 De Biesbosch was closed-off from the sea by a dam which was constructed in the main outlet called “The Haringvliet” and changed from a brackish estuary into a fresh water wetland. From the original tidal difference of approximate 2.50 meters only 0.30 metre was left in the Dort area with carries the name of “Dordtse Biesbosch”. A wealthy flora and fauna have developed since.
Like in other countries, in 1980 legislation took place in the founding of National Parks. Also De Biesbosch was destinated to be one and in 1994 it got its official status of National Park. The National Park “De Biesbosch” covers an area of 9.000 ha. There are 3 zones named after the topographical situation: “De Brabantse-, De Sliedrechtse-” and “De Dordtse Biesbosch”. De Dordtse Biesbosch” covers 1.000 ha. And is one the most of this National Park. Together with the other two it is it one of the few remaining fresh water tidal areas in Europe. Because of its natural beauty and its rarity the main parts of the “Dordtse Biesbosch” are closed off and are prohibited to the the general public.
“The Dordtse Natuuur- & Vogelwacht” (The Dort Nature- and Birdguard Foundation) is fully involved in the development of the Dort Biesbosch and does a lot of research regarding flora as well as fauna. The next pages will give you a short impression of the landscape of the Dort Biesbosch, the cultural/historical relicts and with various examples of this florishing and unique wetland.