Retourstroom

Retourstroom is a Dutch term that translates to "return flow" or "backflow" in English. It primarily refers to the flow of water in a river or canal in the opposite direction to its usual or intended current. This phenomenon can occur due to various factors, including tidal influences, changes in water levels in connected bodies of water, or pumping operations.

In coastal areas, tides are a common cause of retourstroom. During high tide, the incoming sea water can push water upstream, temporarily reversing the natural flow of a river or canal. Similarly, if a canal connects to a lake or reservoir with a significantly different water level, water can flow back into the canal when the level in the connected body of water rises.

Man-made interventions, such as pumping stations used for drainage or water management, can also induce retourstroom. If pumps are activated to move water out of an area, the subsequent decrease in water level might draw water back from adjacent channels. Understanding and managing retourstroom is important for navigation, water quality, and ecological systems, as it can affect the distribution of sediment, nutrients, and aquatic organisms. Engineers and water managers often monitor and account for retourstroom in the design and operation of hydraulic structures and water systems.