Geleenbeek

The Geleenbeek (originally called (de) Geleen) is a stream in the south of the Dutch province of Limburg that is part of the river basin of the Meuse. The partly canalized stream originates in Benzenrade and flows into the Maas at Stevensweert under the name Oude Maas. The place Geleen owes its name (originally "Op-geleen", today's Oud-Geleen) to its location near the river, which formed the eastern border of the municipality.The stream, whose Latin name Glana means "clear stream", was canalized in the 50s of the 20th century. Due to the construction of the railway line from Heerlen to Sittard and the A76 motorway, the old cultural landscape in the Geleenbeek valley has changed considerably. The stream valley with numerous side streams (together 226 hectares) has been designated a Natura 2000 area and is largely located in the South Limburg National Landscape.