It is a part of the municipality of Neder-Betuwe, and lies about 10 km southwest of Wageningen.

Ochten was a separate municipality until 1818, when it was divided into two parts, Echteld and IJzendoorn.

[5] It was an heerlijkheid of the Prince-Bishop of Utrecht until 1402 when it changed hands to the Duchy of Gelre.

Not a single houses remained undamaged, and more than half of the 400 buildings were damaged beyond repair.

The entire village was evacuated and the army was called in to strengthen the dike.