Zijvaart

Zijvaart is a Dutch term used in hydrology and inland navigation to designate a side channel of a river or waterway. It is a secondary waterway that branches off from a main navigable watercourse and feeds into harbors, ports, or industrial areas, or re-joins the main channel beyond the branch point. In navigation the zijvaart typically carries local traffic and can provide an alternative route to relieve congestion on the main through route (the doorvaart).

Zijvaarten can be natural or man-made and may include locks, bridges, and navigation markings. Their depth, width, and nautical restrictions depend on local conditions and regulations, and the water level in a zijvaart can differ from that of the main river, affecting draft. The term derives from zij (side) and vaart (voyage, waterway). In planning and charts, zijvaarten are labeled as branches of the primary waterway network and are important for access to ports and industrial zones while contributing to flood control and water management.

The concept is related to other terms in the regional waterway vocabulary, such as side branches or side arms of rivers, though usage and precise definitions can vary by region and regulatory context. Zijvaart remains a key element in the design and operation of inland waterway networks in the Dutch-speaking regions and beyond.