A Kill is a small harbor in a channel that dries up at low tide. At high tide a small ship can sail in or out. Many of these kills occur along the Zeeschelde. At this location you are on the outer dike on the left bank of the Scheldt. At this rill or channel, the Vliet flows into the Scheldt. Vliet is a name regularly given to watercourses that flow into the Scheldt.
The difference between high and low tide here is about 4 meters on average.
At spring tide the differences are even greater. The dike pattern as occurs in the 'Land van Dendermonde' began to take shape in the 13th century, partly due to the invention of the drainage lock around 1200.
Many strips of dike used to be private property. Other strips were owned by the municipality. The municipality granted those 'landed' the right to mow the grass and plant trees on the dikes. It was their duty to pour dikes and stones in the weakest places and install wooden wickerwork where necessary. Neglect of the dike often led to flooding. Closing breaches is hellish work. Sandbags have to be placed, piles driven, mats plaited and stone dust poured.
You also have a beautiful view of the Vlassenbroekse Polder (located on the other side).