Düssel

The Düssel is a river in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is a left tributary of the Rhine and one of the region’s smaller rivers. Its course runs through the Bergisches Land and the Düsseldorf region, contributing to local drainage and landscape.

The river rises in the Bergisches Land, in the southern part of the Rhine-Ruhr area, and flows generally northwestward. It passes through rural countryside and urbanized areas associated with Düsseldorf, where the valley forms a green corridor within the metropolitan region. The Düssel eventually enters the Rhine at a site near Düsseldorf-Kaiserswerth, contributing to the Rhine’s lower reach.

Length and hydrology: The Düssel is a relatively short river, extending over several dozen kilometers. Its flow and seasonal water levels are influenced by rainfall, upstream land use, and urban drainage in parts of its course. The river and its valley are managed for flood protection, water quality, and ecological restoration where needed.

Name and significance: The name Düssel is of Germanic origin, and the city of Düsseldorf derives its name from the ford on the Düssel (Furt am Düssel). This etymology highlights the river’s historical role as a crossing point and a focal point for early settlement in the region.

Environment and recreation: The Düssel valley hosts nature reserves, parks, and walking or cycling routes that run along parts of the river. The water body supports local wildlife and serves as a green space for recreation within the urban and rural landscapes it traverses.