The Ieperlee (or ''Ypres-Ijzer Canal'') is a canalized river that rises in Heuvelland in the Belgian province of

West Flanders West Flanders is the westernmost province of the Flemish Region, in Belgium. It is the only coastal Belgian province, facing the North Sea to the northwest. It has land borders with the Dutch province of Zeeland to the northeast, the Flemis ...

and flows via the city of

Ypres Ypres ( ; ; ; ; ) is a Belgian city and municipality in the province of West Flanders. Though the Dutch name is the official one, the city's French name is most commonly used in English. The municipality comprises the city of Ypres/Ieper ...

(Ieper) into the Yser at Fort Knokke. The river is long. Its name is derived from ''iep'', the Dutch word for elm. It gave its name to the city of Ypres. In the 11th century the river was canalized to link the city, which had a thriving cloth industry, to the sea. Even in 1842, some 2,034 boats still passed the lock at Boezinge. Today, the canal is only used for recreational purposes. During the

First World War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

, the river was part of the frontline. It linked the Ypres Salient, held by the French and English, to the Yser Front, held by the Belgian Army (see '' Dodengang'').

Tributaries

* Bollaerbeek * Zillebeek {{Belgium-river-stub Rivers of Belgium Rivers of West Flanders