The Wapelbach has its source to the east of Stukenbrock and first crosses the Wehrbachtal nature reserve, which has existed since 1990. This is why it is still called Wehrbach here. Only after a few kilometers does it change its name to "Wapelbach", flows as such through the town of Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock and leaves the urban area in the direction of Verl. From the confluence with Rodenbach, the name changes again and the Wapelbach becomes the "Wapel". In its further course, the Wapel then passes Rietberg, Rheda-Wiedenbrück and the city of Gütersloh. There, the almost 36 km long river joins the Dalke, which then flows into the Ems. The Wapel, like the Rodenbach, is particularly worthy of protection due to the occurrence of the nationally endangered fish and roundmouth species bullhead and brook lamprey and its equally endangered habitat type "alder, ash and softwood alluvial forests".