At the Hautes-Alpes Departmental Water Management Committee meeting on July 7, 26, a comprehensive review of water resource trends in the department was presented.
The heat wave and largely localized rainfall in late June have led to a gradual decline in soil moisture and river flows. Water levels in the Drac, Buëch, and Haute-Durance rivers are low for the start of the summer season.
Weather forecasts for the coming days call for generally hot and dry conditions, with a possibility of thunderstorms this weekend, which does not suggest that the situation will improve.
In order to safeguard all water uses and anticipate any potential deterioration of the hydrological situation, this drought and the weather outlook for the coming days now justify placing the Drac-Gapençais and Buëch watersheds, and the Haute-Durance watersheds under a “VIGILANCE” status and to maintain the Méouge at “VIGILANCE” status, in accordance with the framework decree on drought dated July 8, 2024.
The “VIGILANCE” level does not impose temporary restrictions on water use. However, it calls on users (individuals, businesses, local authorities, farmers, etc.) to voluntarily limit their water withdrawals. Adopting water-conserving practices starting now will help slow or reduce the deterioration of the hydrological situation as much as possible.
It also calls on local officials to closely monitor water resources and water withdrawals in order to prevent and anticipate potential restrictions.
Preserving water resources and aquatic environments is everyone’s responsibility.
For further information on the drought situation, please visit:
•the Hautes-Alpes government services portal: http://www.hautes-alpes.gouv.fr
•the national app dedicated to drought management https://vigieau.gouv.fr/