Abstract Shortly after the river Rhine enters the Netherlands, it bifurcates into three branches. A predefined, fixed discharge distribution over the bifurcation points is vital, since the dikes are designed with a predefined distribution in mind. Recent observations show that the discharge distribution that is anticipated at design discharge conditions differs from the predefined one. One of the goals of the national program Room for the River is therefore to restore the discharge distribution. To control the hydraulic processes during flood events, the construction of two adaptable spillways in the direct neighbourhood of the bifurcation points is proposed as a possible solution. The spillways are capable of maintaining the proper discharge distribution. They can also act as regulators during the construction phase of the flood managements plans of the project Room for the River. Hence, the discharge ratio and thus the water levels are such that the safety-standards are not violated. The morphological consequences are most probably very small, provided that strong erosion during flood events can be prevented and the autonomous bed degradation stays within reasonable limits.