Belgium 2021-01-31 - Packraft Oude Mandelbeek

Oude Mandelbeek is a tiny forgotten watercourse that has a bizarre feature: both of its extremities flow into the river Leie. The reason this is possible is because the northern and southern sections of the creek flow in opposite directions...

Under normal circumstances, Oude Mandelbeek is totally insignificant and not navigable in any way (not even by kayak or packraft), but mid-winter, after many weeks of wet weather, widespread flooding tends to occur in its low valley. It is under such conditions that Evert and I attempt to packraft Oude Mandelbeek from Gottem (Deinze) to Wakken (Dentergem), on a frosty winter morning. After a bit of research, I was not able to find any references to paddling on Oude Mandelbeek, so it may very well be that we are the first to even attempt it.

We put in before 9 am and start following the winding creek while the sun rises above the horizon. Past the village of Gottem, we enter an extensive area of flooded meadows. Temperature is below freezing, and water on the bow of the boat freezes. At this point, we are going countercurrent and must put in substantial effort to make progress.

We enter a wooded zone known as Kappitelmeersen and enjoy paddling in between flooded trees. The countercurrent becomes stronger, and at places it is really hard to make any progress whatsoever. Suddenly a shot is fired nearby, and soon after we see a hunter, who is dumbstruck by our unexpected presence.

We reach Dentergem while the sun unfortunately disappears behind thickening clouds. We meet a number of hikers, and a lady is kind enough to take a couple of pictures of us and send them by WhatsApp.

We have to portage around several low bridges, and gradually the current lessens, which we much appreciate. As of the confluence with Krommendijkbeek, the current very noticeably reverses entirely, and the last stretch towards the confluence of Oude Mandelbeek and the river Mandel is easily taken care of.

We now follow the river Mandel and are still taken along by the current. The headwind does not allow us to proceed as fast as we had hoped, unfortunately. However, a bit after noon, we arrive at the locks of Wakken, one kilometer or so short of the confluence of the Mandel and Leie rivers, and after having paddled a good 12 km. We take out and head back home for lunch and a hot bath, as temperature has hovered around freezing the entire morning.

In conclusion: a quite successful first-time exploration of this forgotten close-to-home watercourse. It is clear that our intinerary is only possible in case of very high water levels and should hence not be attempted in any other circumstance.