A hundred years ago, the Swalm (Schwalm) meandered its way through a marshy valley, stretching out from its source in Tüschenbroich before flowing into the river Meuse.
This primordial riverscape was characterized by lakes, tarns, ponds, extensive cane brakes, interspersed with little moors, willow bush, bog myrtle and alder carrs. Areas of this diverse boggy landscape have been preserved or restored as a habitat for rare and endangered flora and fauna.
