The sub-area includes the floodplains north of the Lower Rhine between Renkum and the border with Utrecht and part of the floodplains on the south side of the river, near Opheusden. On the border between Gelderland and Utrecht is the well-known nature reserve De Blauwe Kamer, which is partly in the municipality Wageningen is located. Floodplains are the land between the winter dike and the river bed. In the past the river had free rein here. The areas flooded, the river formed channels and deposited clay and sand. From the seventeenth century onwards, people increasingly determined the course of the river through summer quays and constructing winter dikes. In this way, the floods were increasingly controlled and the floodplains were used as polders for grazing. of cattle. From the end of the eighteenth century, the area was also used for clay extraction. The 1937 map shows seven brick factories in the area.

In the 1990s, new opportunities arose for nature in the floodplains. Under the influence of the spatial vision on it In the river area known as the “stork plan”, all kinds of development plans and management measures were implemented that make the area a species-rich nature reserve. The diversity of species in the area is related to the great variation in conditions caused by the dynamics of the river. Because of this there are wetter and dry parts, riparian forests, meadows, reedlands, ponds, sandy areas and clayey parts. The transition to the higher sandy soils is special.

The moraine of the Veluwe and the Utrechtse Heuvelrug ensure that clean groundwater rises at the floodplains (seepage). This improves the quality of it water in the pools and puddles has a positive influence. The species diversity of the area is reflected in the number of bird species recorded in recent years has been observed in the area for years. As many as 226 different species are used of the area for nesting, foraging or resting during the winter or spring and autumn migration. Ducks, wading birds, seagulls, species of reed marshes, birds of prey, farmland birds, pioneer species, all are represented in the area.