Garonne River historically low water levels November drought, Digi Mart USA News (France): The Garonne River is suffering a severe water shortage. Every morning between 7 and 11 a.m., the public body that manages the river and its tributaries assesses the water levels needed for the day, based on weather conditions and the needs of drinking water supply, industry and agriculture.
That daily exercise is becoming worrying.
“The situation is very tense, something that has never been seen for a November,” said Franck Solacroup, director of services at the Établissement public Garonne. “Water levels in the Garonne are historically low compared with the past 30 years.”
According to the report, the drop in levels is explained by the combined effects of the droughts and heat waves of this summer. Without sufficient rain, autumn has so far not brought the relief that had been hoped for.
The only solution, officials say, is to request water releases from EDF dams in the Pyrenees. That raises another problem.
“We compensate EDF to keep this water for us and make it available to us,” Solacroup said. “It costs between 50,000 and 100,000 euros per day when we significantly draw down water for the Garonne.”
“The problem is such that we normally carry out these water releases between July 1 and October 31. Right now, we are working to maintain the possibility of making these releases until the end of November.”
The dams were fortunately well filled by rainfall last spring. However, without new rain, they risk reaching their operational limits by the end of the month.
