Lys

Lys (lēs), Du. Leie, river, c.135 mi (220 km) long, rising in the hills of Artois, N France, and flowing northeast, forming the Franco-Belgian border between Armentières and Menen. It continues into Belgium past Kortrijk to empty into the Scheldt (Schelde) River at Ghent (Gent). The Lys is canalized from Aire to Ghent. The Lys valley is known for flax spinning and weaving. It was the scene of severe fighting in World War I.

---

Lys 

(Flemish, Leie), a river in France and Belgium. Length, 214 km; basin area, approximately 3,900 sq km.

The Lys River rises in the northeastern slopes of the Artois Upland, crosses the Plain of Flanders, and falls from the left into the Scheldt River. The average water flow rate in the lower reaches is 28 cu m per sec; in flood periods (which occur in winter), the flow rate is 200–300 cu m per sec. Below the city of Aire, the Lys is navigable through a system of locks. It is connected by canals with the industrial districts of Belgium and northern France. The cities of Aire and Armentières (in France), and Wervik, Kortrijk, and Ghent (in Belgium) are located on the Lys River.