Rode Beek (Rothenbach)

The Rothenbach rises near Wildenrath in the middle of the railway test area as Helpensteiner Bach. Between Wildenrath and Dalheim-Rödgen and further into the mill pond of Dalheimer Mühle, the Helpensteiner Bach, which is still largely free-meandering, flows through the 156 hectare northern part of the nature reserve. On its banks there is a damp alder forest that looks like a primeval forest. When it leaves the mill pond, the stream changes its name to Roodebeek (Rothenbach). It forms the German / Dutch border as far as the Effelder Waldsee and then soon flows into the Rur. The Rothenbach and the Bruchwald are under nature protection.

Very nice hiking path on Rothenbach and through the forest

The Roode Beek was partly canalized in the twentieth century and has since flowed in a concrete, artificial bed. In the future, the stream should meander again as usual. For several years now, the Limburg Water Board has been working on restoring the natural course of the stream and gradually raising the stream bed, so that the surrounding area dries out less quickly. At the beginning of 2010, the Roode Beek was made visible again in the core of Schinveld. In 1963, this part of the stream was clogged under the Steenberg Emma-Hendrik because it was used as an outlet channel for the Staatsmijn Hendrik in Brunssum. A water buffer has been constructed to the east of provincial road 274, which can prevent flooding downstream in the event of extreme discharge. From 2017, the more than 2 km long route between the village center of Schinveld and the German border at Jabeek will be tackled.