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The Maelbeek River once connected 58 ponds throughout Brussels, after being vaulted and dried up only 6 of the original ponds remain.  

Connecting 58 ponds, the Maelbeek was a stream that flowed through Brussels. These ponds were used for fishery production and for irrigating many surrounding agricultural lands. As urbanization became increasingly popular in the early nineteenth century, the stream and ponds were heavily impacted. The waterways were used as an open sewage system, which resulted in intense health issues for the people living nearby. As issues from the open sewage system grew, multiple projects were started to combat the rising health issues caused by the stream. Along with health issues, the Maelbeek River would frequently flood during heavy rains.

In 1872, the Maelbeek River was vaulted, drying up the majority of the water system. Today, only 6 of the original 58 ponds remain. The area along what once was the Maelbeek River has become nearly completely urbanized. The ponds that remain include the pond at La Cambre Abbey, the two Ixelles Ponds and the ponds at Leopold Park, Marie-Louise Square, and Josaphat Park. They now offer a ‘natural’ escape within the bustling city of Brussels.  

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La Cambre Abbey

The original source of the Maelbeek River, before it was vaulted, was the pond located at La Cambre Abbey. Water still remains in the small pond located at La Cambre Abbey, one of the few original ponds left along what used to be the Maelbeek River. 
The ecosystem in the pond located at La Cambre Abbey remains strong, as it acts as a home to many fish and different types of plants.

Ixelles Southern Pond

The second remaining pond from the Maelbeek River is the Southern Ixelles Pond. Photographed above is a landscape view of the pond in late October, just as the leaves begin to change. 
An Egyptian Goose stands on one leg near the Southern Ixelles Pond in October.
The Southern Ixelles Pond can be seen with the urbanized city in the background as autumn begins to set in.  

Ixelles Northern Pond

The third pond that remains from the Maelbeek River is the Northern Ixelles Pond, photographed in late October. 
The water fountain in the middle of the Northern Ixelles Pond sprays water to keep it oxygenated. 
A great cormorant stretches out its wings on an island in the middle of the Northern Ixelles Pond.

Leopold Park

The fourth pond that remains from the Maelbeek River is the pond at Leopold Park. Photographed above is the Leopold Park Pond in late October, as the leaves begin to change. 
A small stream runs through the grass adjacent to the park, which feeds into the pond. 
Leaves begin to fall from the trees near the pond at Leopold Park as the autumn season begins.
A black headed gull flies over the pond located at Leopold Park, near the fountain in the center of the pond.

Marie-Louise Square

The fifth remaining pond from the Maelbeek River is located in the Marie-Louise Square. 
An Egyptian goose watches over its goslings at the Marie-Louise Square Pond. The area offers a comfortable environment for many different types of wildlife. 

Josaphat Park

Water flows over a rock down a stream that feeds into the pond at Josaphat Park.
The pond located at Josaphat Park is the sixth and final pond that remains from the original 58 ponds along the Maelbeek River. 
The pond at Josaphat Park is full of algae which provides food for the fish. 

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