The proximity of the Meuse has caused headward erosion, so the Rida valley, like the adjacent valleys between Liège and Haccourt, cuts into the edge of the plateau of dry Hesbaye and then deepens significantly into the Meuse's side, forming terraces in the shape of a ravine leading to Herstal.

The latter soils are directly related to outcrops of flint clay and, to a lesser extent, some fragments of Meuse's terraces.

It is noteworthy that the soils in the source and marsh areas are not differentiated, likely due to the low density of boreholes (approximately one per hectare).

A possible cause would be the gradual collapse of the mine galleries, preventing underground drainage and returning the water table to its original level.

However, it produces very clear water, as evidenced by a large deposit of limestone, called cron or cranière in Wallonia.

Just downstream, along the Rida, was the farm of Ruwet, still visible on cadastral maps in 1958,[11] with a pond where the last farmer, Mr. Colson, exploited watercress.

Between Vottem and Herstal, the course is visible, but channelized; at a place called Au Patar, the Rida briefly assumes its natural morphology.

The springs of the Ruisseau de Haren are located on the border of Herstal and Vottem; its flow is rarely powerful enough to reach the main Rida.

The river exhibited an aquatic ecology suitable for watercress: clear, shallow, non-acidic, slow-flowing water.

Downstream from the little bridge under the Liège-Tongeren railroad line near the Patar farm, there is still a wet meadow, but the water of the Rida is absorbed in a pipe that leads it to the Meuse.

The Rida is taken to a place called Bériwa (in Herstal ) (Etymology: "Beau Ruisseau" (in Walloon), according to the 1841 Atlas des Chemins Vicinaux).

During storms, part of the stream ran in its original course, via Rue Faurieux,[13] where the vault of the passage under an old railroad line is still visible.

In April 2008, Dr. Migeotte, a resident of Vottem, had soil samples analyzed around this landfill at the Malvoz Institute laboratory in Liège.

It concluded that the concentrations of cadmium, lead and genuine hydrocarbons posed a risk to human health and the environment.

[17] The mayor announced that he had contacted SPAQUE to conduct analyses and verifications at the site, and that he would inform the members of the City Council of the results.